Pique explores Indigenous perspectives on the apocalypse with artist Levi Nelson. - By Will Johnson
06 OPENING REMARKS If you think you’re miserable, ineffectual, fed up, there is no better balm than the self-absorbed misery found on Google Reviews, writes editor Braden Dupuis.
08 LETTERS TO THE EDITOR In this week’s letters, readers weigh in on efficiency at municipal hall, Whistler’s 50th anniversary, and the relocation of Whistler Waldorf.
30 THE OUTSIDER There’s no way around it anymore, writes Vince Shuley. Pipi7íyekw/ Joffre Lakes Provincial Park needs to close.
50 MAXED OUT G.D. Maxwell returns to the back page to offer up a preview of a new feature series set to hit Pique’s pages this fall.
12 BIZ BEAT Small business owners in Whistler are struggling with inflation, staffing shortfalls, and federal policy shifts—even as visitor numbers hold steady.
13 ASSERTING RIGHTS
The Lil’wat and N’Quatqua Nations held a peaceful demonstration on Aug. 22 in response to the province’s proposed closure dates for Pipi7íyekw/Joffre Lakes.
34 WORLD BEATER Squamish’s Ellie Hoskin proved dominant once more in winning the Enduro World Cup season finale in Morillon, France.
38 DIG DEEP
British landscape painter Sarah Winkler is partnering with the Whistler Contemporary Gallery for a meet-and-greet on Aug. 30.
COVER “The Urgency of Now or the Urgency of When,” 2025. - By Levi Nelson // @levi.nelson.artiste
Publisher SARAH STROTHER - sstrother@piquenewsmagazine.com
Founding Publishers KATHY & BOB BARNETT www.piquenewsmagazine.com
Reviewing the Whistler reviewers
SOMETIMES when you’re feeling down, like nothing in your sphere of influence is going just the way you’d prefer, it helps to read random local reviews on Google to boost the spirits.
If you think you’re miserable, ineffectual, fed up, there is no better balm than perusing the absolute, self-absorbed misery found on
BY BRADEN DUPUIS
First of all, imagine what kind of person goes on Google to review a park, a dock, or a foot bridge in the first place. Do you think they’re happy with their life? Fulfilled in
If you answered yes, you may be a Google reviewer. But if you’ve spent any time reading these reviews (filtered by lowest score for maximum schadenfreude), you’ll know what I mean.
Someone who takes time out of their day to write a one-star review for an inanimate object doesn’t exactly exude selfactualization. But at least it provides some perspective for the rest of us.
On that note, here are just a few notable, one-star reviews of Whistler landmarks— keep them handy for a quick pick-me-up the next time you’re feeling down.
RAINBOW PARK
As with most of the amenity reviews we’re reviewing today, Whistler’s Rainbow Park has mostly favourable marks, with a near five-star average. But it’s not the positives we’re after in this exercise.
“This was my first experience swimming in a lake, and it was just OK. I guess I had a different image in my head,” writes one first-time lake swimmer in their one-star review of one of Whistler’s best parks, and what might be one of the very best lakes in
all of Canada.
“Some grass areas were wet/muddy due to sprinklers, and most of the good sitting areas were already taken. The water is cold and just doesn’t look too clean—but maybe this is normal for lakes? I probably only stayed in the water for five minutes before I started wondering if I would catch something.”
Depending on when they were there, they might have caught a bout of swimmer’s itch, but other than that, rest assured—the quality of Whistler’s lakes is tough to beat.
Another one-star reviewer advises to avoid the park in winter.
“The car got bogged in the carpark and it took hours to move it. Currently still stranded there until further notice. We are safe,” they wrote. That was six years ago—no word on if the car is still stranded.
Either way, some people just can’t be satisfied…
WHISTLER OLYMPIC PLAZA
…like the tough-to-please reviewers who felt it necessary to weigh in on Whistler Olympic Plaza.
“Just a huge space that doesn’t really matter. Unless you want to see what is on the other side,” writes one connoisseur of public spaces (who clearly doesn’t understand the concept of event timing—or that “huge spaces” generally exist to be filled).
recurring theme in Olympic Plaza reviews.
“I made a mistake by getting a pizza,” another one-star reviewer offers, regretfully. “I have to say it was truly horrible, the worst thing I ate.”
Vacation ruined. Wait until Google Reviews hears about this injustice.
BLUEBERRY DOCKS
Over at one of Whistler’s little hidden gems, the Blueberry Docks, a user had this insightful review to share: “Too many people, windy and stuff in the water. Wouldn’t recommend.”
Let it be known: if you can’t handle some people, a bit of wind, or unidentified “stuff” in the water, avoid the Blueberry Docks.
THE WHISTLER SLIDING CENTRE
Whistler’s Olympic legacies are some of the community’s best assets, entertaining guests and cultivating new Olympic superstars year in and year out. For the most part, they have great reviews on Google. Except from the guy who really could not get over a lapse in commentary on a single run at a live bobsled event.
“When the final run was happening the announcer stopped commenting on the run. I just think this is underwhelming for this
WHISTLER SKATE PARK
A user of Whistler’s excellent skate park liked the aesthetics, but found it “a little too cool for kids” in issuing their one-star review. “My seven- and 10-year-olds were ran off within five mins by what they said was a ‘dad,’” they wrote (this may actually be a positive review, depending on your outlook).
Another user somehow missed the many, many parking stalls in the direct vicinity of the skate park, leading to the very succinct onestar review of “no parking.”
On and on it goes, the entitlement and negativity unfurling endlessly from mildly unsatisfied or inconvenienced fingertips. Alpha Lake Park is “awful, water was murky and gross and saw leeches all over, found two on my paddleboard.” Not leeches! In a lake?
The playground at Meadow Park “sucks, don’t go here.”
And a large contingent of ill-prepared guests is apparently, at any given time, wandering aimlessly in the Cheakamus region, unable to find the Train Wreck, as evidenced by a number of one-star reviews saying variations of things like “couldn’t find it.”
One of the immutable facts of life is that it is sometimes hard—long and arduous, lined by disappointment at inopportune times. Sometimes you get stuck in a parking lot, or eat something you don’t like. Sometimes it’s windy. Sometimes you see a leech.
These things happen, and normal people
Another one-star reviewer seems to base their experience solely on the quality of nearby food.
“Great location and ambience,” they wrote, before looking forlornly down at their unsatisfied stomach, coming to a decision and clicking one star. “Food was average.”
But the price and quality of food is a
event,” they wrote. “Why did this happen? There was no information on the final run or standings, the event was great but the commentary was very poor.”
The verdict? Despite this self-confessed great event, another one-star review. That’ll teach you to get your minor technical difficulties under control, hmm?
know they’re not worth lashing out about.
To Whistler, I give a solid 4.9 stars—expensive, not perfect, but one of the very best places a human can find themselves in the entire world.
To the reviewers who think their tiny inconveniences are worth a damn beyond their own self-inflated egos, I give a taste of their own medicine: one star. n
adam@whistlerlawyer.ca|604.905.5180 7063Nester sR oa d
$2,688,000
WWW.WHISTLERLAWYER.CA
Let the light shine on courage
How courageous and refreshing your note on the Resort Municipality of Whistler’s (RMOW) greedy and dark tactics is (Pique, Aug. 15, “The case for a Whistler DOGE”). I’m sure we all agree on your message but as in so many cases these days, only true leadership and honesty can and should stem the tide.
I would have been so much more vocal and political in my life, but because of losing my kids and because of the overwhelming support of the Whistler community in general toward The Kelty Foundation, I have chosen to stay on the sidelines and concentrate on our main battle to provide solutions to mental health.
Action is needed to loosen the grip on this continued abuse of Whistler taxpayers. With respect,
Kerry
Dennehy // Whistler
Our community is a lot older than 50
In the effort to make Whistler accessible for everyone, beginning with the presumption that it is a luxury resort community is selfdefeating—the tail wagging the dog. That perspective is a commonly held illusion: one believed to be true, and one that forms the backbone of how our town is formally
organized. To ask this illusion to be different only reinforces it. To fight the illusion is to support the illusion. But if we accept that “Whistler as an exclusive luxury resort” is simply an idea—one that shapes how we show up and organize—then we can begin to ask how else we might understand it to
better meet the needs of everyone who calls this place home.
For millennia, the Lil’wat and Squamish Nations gathered here seasonally to exchange resources, share culture, and build relationships. Is this not why so many of us come to Whistler today? Those Nations built a
writer and not that of Pique Newsmagazine. Send them to edit@ piquenewsmagazine.com before 11 a.m. on Tuesday for consideration in that week’s paper.
system of reciprocity and sustainability that supported mutual benefit. If the reasons we continue to gather here are similar to those who came before us, can we not also create a system that supports everyone who chooses to gather here now, including the L ’ il ’ wat7úl and the Sk_wx_wú7mesh Úxumixw?
We are left with two ideas of Whistler. One is defined by exclusivity, upheld by private interests and bureaucracy. The other—equally true and far older—is Whistler as a gathering place with the resources necessary to support those who come together here.
If you align with the latter idea, does it make sense to keep pouring energy into changing the system that maintains the illusion of luxury? Or would our time be better spent building systems of mutual benefit and reciprocity that promote the sustainable exchange of resources, culture, and supportive relationships?
I know how I want to spend my time and energy.
Sean Easton // Whistler
Whistler needs ‘valuable asset’ Racket Club
I am writing to express my concern regarding the future of the Whistler Racket Club (WRC).
As a regular user of the club, I note that every day the WRC is busy, welcoming not only the Whistler community but also visitors. I am not aware of any other club where you could call and
JointheWhistlerPublicLibrary BoardofTrustees!
TheBoard helpsdeterminestrategicpriorities,developspolicyand overseesfiscalresponsibilityoftheWhistler Public Library.
have a tennis or pickleball game set up within 24 hours—the folks there work hard to make things happen, even lending rackets when needed. WRC staff embrace inclusiveness and work hard to have programs for all stakeholders—racket players, kids, seniors, party rentals... In summary, WRC is a fabric of community, making a proven meaningful impact.
I have now attended two council meetings in trying to get educated. However, I am not clear on meaningful solutions, and there seems to be more of an economic focus at the expense of community. The results of the first two rounds of public engagement indicate a top priority related to the development of Northlands; the replacement of the existing WRC with a viable, multi-use racket centre that meets the community’s recreation/social needs.
I note also the RMOW’s first two guiding principles, as stated in its May 27 report on the Northlands rezoning: Balance Resort and Community Needs; and Strengthen Sense of Place and Social Connections.
Related to the above, the WRC has demonstrated value to long-term community, recreation, and social well-being—a highly used and much-loved community amenity.
Whistler needs this valuable asset.
I hope my input may be considered when working toward a solution that balances both the growth of Whistler and the preservation of the Whistler Racket Club.
Andrea Eby // Whistler
Fond memories at Whistler Waldorf School
I don’t want the Whistler Waldorf School to move! I have experienced the Whistler Waldorf but unfortunately, I had to move at the end of first grade because we moved to London for my dad’s course.
Anyway, back to the topic—when I was in kindergarten, we used to go for forest walks and in winter, the teachers would tell us to bring our sleds. The whole recess we would go
My name is Samaa and I am eight years old. Please consider my reasons.
Thank you,
Samaa Nigam // London
Thanks for another successful Flag Stop
After 14 years, it truly takes a village to raise a successful event. The dust has finally settled on the 14th Annual Flag Stop Theatre & Arts Festival and we have a bunch of thank-yous
“If the Whistler Waldorf will have to move, I will feel sad for the new kindergarten kids because they won’t have so much fun like I did.”
- SAMAA NIGAM
sledding on the hilly part of the forest. If the Whistler Waldorf will have to move, I will feel sad for the new kindergarten kids because they won’t have so much fun like I did.
When I had injured my knee and I was wearing a cast, I had to travel in a wagon for the forest walks. All my friends would push me up the hill. But if I got hurt on my leg and the Whistler Waldorf had already moved, I would not have my friends push me up a hill. So I just think it is unfair!
to send out.
First and foremost, we need to thank all of our sponsors. Without their support, we couldn’t bring this homegrown, grassroots event to the people of Whistler. Many thanks to the Resort Municipality of Whistler for not only their financial support, but also for allowing us to use Florence Petersen Park, Balsam/ Helicopter Park and Rainbow Park. While we’re thanking government supporters, a shout-out to the Province of British Columbia and the BC
Arts Council for supporting the arts.
Special thanks to our presenting sponsors, Gibbons Whistler, Nesters Market, Whistler Hardware, and Bob and Sue Adams, who go above and beyond when it comes to making Whistler what it is.
We must thank all the artists who made this festival come to life: Gary Wayne Peterson, ALGN Whistler, Kathryn Daniels and Carla Fuhre, Jaxon Mishaw, Papa Josh Trio, DJ Vinyl Ritchie, Balkan Shmalkan, The West Coast Front, Dakota Pearl, SheriMarie Ptolemy and Alexis Kay, Greg Kelly and Rachel Strobl, Laugh Out LIVE!, The History of Gunpowder, and Mivule.
Words of praise to Bronwyn Preece for writing The Conversation , Brandon Barrett for directing the play’s premiere, Allison Hunter, Bronwen Thorburn, David Francis, Doug Van Loan, Emma Strong, Mark Maciver, Myrna Iaconetti-Bush and Shoshauna Routley for bringing those words to life, and Rajan Das and Tim Smith as the wizards behind all the production.
We need to thank Whistler Wine Guy Scott Serfas, Chef Frédéric Royer, and all of the crew and volunteers that helped make the 14th Annual FSTAF a successful event.
And of course, we couldn’t do all of this without the attendees. We hope we put on a great festival for you, and hope to see you next year for the 15th edition, Aug. 5 to 8, 2026. Kevin Mikkelsen // The Point Artist-Run Centre n
$3,549,000 |
3114 Tyrol Crescent
6 Bed, 4 Bath, 3,268 SF
Carleigh Hofman PREC* 604.805.5358
CONDO FOR SALE
$1,699,000 | WHISTLER 26 – 2201 Eva Lake Road
4 Bed, 2 Bath, 1,849 SF
Caronne Marino PREC* 604.905.8324
HOUSE FOR SALE
$1,950,000 | PEMBERTON 1553 Fraser Road
4 Bed, 2 Bath, 2,241 SF
Sarah Morphy PREC* 604.906.1940
CONDO FOR SALE
$885,000 | WHISTLER
307 – 2021 Karen Crescent
1 Bed, 1 Bath, 571 SF
Liz Tucker 604.907.0448
CONDO FOR SALE
$879,000 | WHISTLER
4 – 7001 Nesters Road
2 Bed, 1 Bath, 682 SF
Katherine Currall 604.966.1364
CONDO FOR SALE
$219,000 | WHISTLER 107A – 2020 London Lane
1 Bed, 1 Bath, 592 SF
The Cartner Team PREC* 604.935.2199
Whistler businesses face rising costs and labour concerns despite strong summer tourism
SMALL
BUSINESS OWNERS IN WHISTLER ARE STRUGGLING WITH INFLATION, STAFFING SHORTFALLS, AND FEDERAL POLICY SHIFTS—EVEN AS VISITOR NUMBERS HOLD STEADY, SAYS CHAMBER EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR LOUISE WALKER
BY LIZ MCDONALD
WHISTLER BUSINESSES are navigating a mixed landscape in 2025, with steady visitor numbers contrasted by rising operating costs and mounting labour concerns. As summer comes to a close, local business leaders are turning their focus to federal advocacy, staffing stability, and affordability heading into fall and winter.
“We are experiencing a strong summer… there’s lots of positivity in the air,” said Louise Walker, executive director of the Whistler Chamber of Commerce. “But behind the scenes, businesses are still facing just everincreasing costs of doing business.”
COSTS MOUNTING FOR SMALL BUSINESSES
While visitor numbers have held steady, the Chamber says Whistler’s small, locally owned businesses—especially in food, beverage and retail—are bearing the brunt of rising expenses.
“They’re really facing increased costs across a whole bunch of factors—rent, labour, tax, tariffs. It’s quite endless,” Walker said. “All these can seem like small increases, but
they accumulate to be a big issue.”
These pressures align with broader national trends. According to a report from the Canadian Federation of Independent Businesses, one in five businesses in Canada won’t survive another six months if CanadaU.S. tariffs remain as is. Two-thirds reported they are facing higher expenses, and almost 50 per cent have lower revenues.
While some retail units—such as those in Village Common near the former Village 8 Cinemas—have been leased, others have shuttered.
One of Whistler’s longestrunning independent business, Foto Source, closed in July. Big-name shops like Billabong and Eddie Bauer have also closed their doors in the village.
In a previous interview with Pique, Rick Clare, owner of Foto Source, said he decided to close his 40-year-old business rather than paying more for rent.
“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 said. “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.”
STRONG SUMMER VISITATION BUT SHIFTS IN SPENDING
Visitation this summer remained steady across key markets, according to Barrett Fisher, president and CEO of Tourism Whistler, and May occupation reached a record high.
“Overnight visitation for May, June, and July was buoyant in all three months, especially from Canada (noting that fewer Canadians have been travelling to the U.S.),” Fisher said in a written response. “Visitation from the U.S. was also very strong in May and June, but showed a decline in July. International business showed some rallying growth in all three months, specifically from Australia, Asian markets, Mexico, and the U.K.”
Despite the foot traffic, Walker noted a cautionary tone among local business owners.
“There’s concern or pessimism about whether there’ll be any improvement in terms of the cost and ease of doing business,” she said.
LABOUR POLICY CHANGES SPARK WINTER WORRIES
New federal restrictions on immigration and work permits could significantly limit access to international workers this winter—posing a challenge for tourism-reliant towns like Whistler.
“With all the changes announced to the Temporary Foreign Worker Program, our access to international workers is really going to be hit quite hard in the coming year,” Walker said.
She cited several recent policy changes affecting the sector: Caps on postgraduate work permits; reductions in spousal open work permits; shortened duration for temporary foreign workers (from two years to one); limits on off-campus work hours for students; and reduced quotas in the Provincial Nominee Program.
Whistler’s small year-round population means it relies heavily on international workers to serve millions of annual visitors.
“We really do rely on international workers to support the labour needs of the resort,” Walker said.
ADVOCACY FOR AFFORDABILITY AND WORKFORCE STABILITY
To help address these systemic issues, the Whistler Chamber has ramped up advocacy efforts on multiple levels. Nationally, the Chamber is calling for targeted support for tourism economies, improvements to existing immigration programs, and stronger worker protections.
“We’re a member of the B.C. Chamber of Commerce and the Canadian Chamber of Commerce, and so they support advocacy efforts provincially and federally,” Walker said.
Closer to home, the Chamber is providing support through: A dedicated tariff resources page to help businesses navigate U.S.-Canada trade impacts; discounts on payroll, HR, and travel services for members; and the Whistler Experience program, which offers employees access to locals-only discounts on groceries, activities, and transportation.
As the busy summer fades into the shoulder season, Walker said the Chamber will continue convening local input through its Advocacy in Action series. The next sessions are scheduled for Sept. 19, Oct. 20 and Dec. 15. n
STRONG SUMMER Whistler Chamber executive director Louise Walker says while it’s been a busy summer, businesses are still facing high costs and concerns over federal work permit caps. PHOTO
‘We have lost trust’
LIL’WAT, N’QUATQUA NATIONS SAY ONE-MONTH JOFFRE CLOSURE FALLS SHORT, LEAVING LITTLE TIME FOR CULTURAL PRACTICES OR RESEARCH ON VISITOR IMPACTS
BY LUKE FAULKS
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
THE LIL’WAT NATION and N’Quatqua First Nation held a peaceful protest on the morning of Friday, Aug. 22 in response to the B.C. government’s one-month closure of Pipi7íyekw/Joffre from Sept. 2 to Oct. 3. Lil’wat and N’Quatqua said they told the province back in December 2024 they wished to see the third closure of the year run from Aug. 22 until Oct. 23.
The province’s announcement on Aug. 19 was met with a strong rebuke from the Nations a day later, leading to Friday’s twohour blockade.
The protest, situated at the intersection of Mount Currie’s Main Street, the Pemberton Portage Road and the Lillooet Lake Road, blocked traffic moving between Pemberton, unincorporated communities like Birken and Darcy and, naturally, Pipi7íyekw/Joffre Lakes, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Roughly 100 people gathered in support.
Kúkwpi7 Skalulmecw Political Chief Dean Nelson explained the province left Lil’wat and N’Quatqua with no other choice, after refusing to accommodate the Nations’ longer reconnection period.
“Time and time again, we have to do these things,” he told the assembled protesters. “We have to remind the general public that this is going on—the untruthfulness of the government comes out as partnership. It comes out as collaboration, but it’s not. It’s dictation.
“So, I’m happy to be here sharing this time with all of you and I thank those that are very patient with us, that are understanding of what we’re trying to do here.”
Parked cars blocked off the Pemberton Portage Road and Lillooet Lake Road, just
after the turns into the Lil’wat Chevron and convenience store. Officers from the Stl’atl’imx Tribal Police Service were on hand to provide security. And while a few drivers exited their cars, no serious arguments or incidents took place. Some asked questions of the protesters, others just watched the proceedings quietly.
Officials from the Lil’wat Nation, N’Quatqua and the St’át’imc Chiefs Council were on hand to discuss the breakdown of talks with the province. They gave the floor to spiritual leaders from the area at about 10:50 a.m., who were followed by dancing and drumming from those assembled.
Lhpatq Maxine Bruce explained the longer closure announced by the Nation was partly to help issue a cumulative impact assessment; a study that aims to understand the long-term impacts of overuse on “the land, water, wildlife and spiritual balance of [Pipi7íyekw/Joffre].”
After the protest wrapped at noon, traffic began to flow freely again. About 15 minutes passed before the southbound traffic cleared, with the Stl’atl’imx Tribal Police Service managing traffic.
“This demonstration was to raise awareness to the visitors coming to our town right now,” explained Lil’wat title and rights coordinator Xzúmalus Roxanne Joe. “And I guess [a future demonstration] depends on what the reaction of BC Parks is on what we’ve done today.”
Title and rights director Casey Gonzalez acknowledged visitors to the area might not know of the Nation’s stated closure dates. She asked people who are planning to show up outside of the province’s announced closure but during the Nation’s two-month planned reconnection period consider other parks out of respect.
LEADING THE WAY “We have to remind the general public that this is going on,” said Lil’wat’s Kúkwpi7 Skalulmecw Political Chief Dean Nelson (centre).
PHOTO BY LUKE FAULKS
WEDGEWOODS
9374 FLICKER WAY
Chalet with acreage, 10 Bed, 11 Bath, 8086 sq ft
$8,500,000
WHISTLER CREEKSIDE (SUNDANCE) 2-2221 GONDOLA WAY
Townhouse, 3 bed, 3 bath, 1440 sq ft
$2,650,000
ALPINE MEADOWS
8224 ALPINE WAY
Chalet, 5 bed, 5 bath, 3522 sq ft
$4,495,000
SUNSTONE PEMBERTON 7681 CERULEAN DRIVE
Chalet, 5 bed, 3.5 bath, 3876 sq ft
$2,398,000
$3,799,000
$1,999,000
$3,400,000
$1,899,000
“I would ask that they be respectful of the Nation’s wishes and the Nation’s need to reconnect with our territory and peace and time and space,” she said.
PROVINCE SAYS CLOSURES BALANCE PRIORITIES
In a statement, the Nations said the province’s newly announced dates—Sept. 2 to Oct. 3— ignore their authority and disregard the exclusive use period they identified from Aug. 22 to Oct. 23.
“The province’s imposed dates are a fraction of the schedule advanced by our Nations and represent yet another unilateral decision that ignores our governance, our laws and our rights,” the statement read. “This is not recognition of our Title and Rights. This is a continuation of colonial decision-making that disregards our authority and obligations to our lands.
“The province’s refusal to honour these dates undermines both reconciliation and the health of the land and people.”
BC Parks announced the third and final closure of the year on Aug. 19.
The Parks service said the month-long closure would allow the alpine area to recover after the busy summer season, provide the Nations with space to carry out cultural practices and mark the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.
The ministry described the 2025 schedule—three total closure periods—as
consistent with the previous year.
“The Province acknowledges the Nations had requested additional closure dates,” the BC Parks statement read. “After careful consideration, B.C. has confirmed a schedule that balances cultural practices conservation goals and public access to the park.”
But Lil’wat and N’Quatqua said the shortened closure undermines their responsibility to care for the land. On Aug. 20, they released a statement denouncing the halved reconnection period announced by the government.
The Nations stressed their proposed closure period was based on traditional needs, including harvesting foods and medicines, conducting ceremonies and allowing the land to regenerate.
“For us, this land is not about recreation, it is about food security and the wellness of our people. We need this time and space for our Nations to harvest, reconnect and exercise our responsibilities as stewards of the land.”
FRAUGHT PARTNERSHIP
This clash over Joffre’s closure is the latest chapter in a years-long struggle over who holds decision-making authority at the alpine destination.
In 2018, BC Parks, N’Quatqua and Lil’wat Nation began working together on a joint management strategy to address environmental degradation caused by an influx of tourists. The strategy led to the introduction of day-use passes in 2021 to ensure parking access and reduce crowding.
“For decades, the province has permitted the overuse and degradation of [Pipi7íyekw/ Joffre] by allowing unsustainable levels of visitation,” the Nations explained. “The land was never meant to endure this degree of exploitation. It requires periods of rest and regeneration.”
The jurisdictional conflict burst into public view in August 2023, when the Lil’wat Nation and N’Quatqua announced they were closing the park without provincial support.
“While successes have been gained through our partnership in terms of implementing a cap on the number of visitors and a day-use pass permit, access to the resources by Líl’wat and N’Quatqua has not been prioritized,” said the two First Nations in a statement at the time.
By spring 2024, B.C. and the two communities had struck a tentative framework for seasonal closures: three temporary shutdowns each year, designed to balance public access with Indigenous stewardship.
At the time, that agreement was heralded by provincial officials as a breakthrough in co-management. The park was closed again this year, from April 26 to May 16 and June 13 to 27.
ONGOING PRESSURES
For Lil’wat and N’Quatqua, the latest move shows how little has changed.
“Our Nations continue to face ongoing pressure to shorten our time and access to our own territories, while the province prioritizes recreational use by visitors. This is not an
equal relationship,” the statement read. They reminded the public that Joffre Lakes Provincial Park was created without consultation and remains within unceded territory.
“[Pipi7íyekw/Joffre] is not the property of the province. It lies within the unceded territories of the Líl’wat Nation and N’Quatqua. Our responsibility since time immemorial has been to protect, steward and govern this place for present and future generations.
“Any decisions about [Pipi7íyekw/Joffre] must be made by and with us; not imposed over us.”
The Nations said the province’s actions contradict both the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP), which B.C. has enshrined in law, and Supreme Court of Canada rulings affirming Indigenous Title and Rights.
“BC Parks should have been proud to take this opportunity to demonstrate real and meaningful reconciliation. Instead, they continue to hold onto paternalistic approaches that disregard Indigenous stewardship and decision-making,” the release said.
The statement concluded with a demand that the province retract its announcement and return to discussions in good faith.
“We have lost trust in working with BC Parks, as their actions repeatedly demonstrate disregard for our Nations’ voices, rights, and stewardship obligations,” they wrote. “Reconciliation cannot and will not exist so long as governments continue to make paternalistic, colonial decisions about our lands without our consent.” n
Whistler Chamber unveils finalists for 2025 Excellence Awards
THEMED ‘DEEP ROOTS, BRIGHT FUTURES,’ THIS YEAR’S AWARDS GALA WILL HONOUR WHISTLER’S MOST INSPIRING LEADERS
BY LIZ MCDONALD
THE WHISTLER CHAMBER of Commerce has unveiled its lineup of finalists for the 2025 Whistler Excellence Awards, presented by BlueShore Financial. The gala, themed “Deep Roots, Bright Futures: A Night to Flourish,” is set to take place on Friday, Oct. 3 at the Fairmont Chateau Whistler.
Louise Walker, executive director for the Chamber, explained the ethos behind this year’s theme.
“We’re celebrating businesses that have deep roots and are doing great things, but also celebrating new leaders and rising stars. The theme of the gala is an enchanted forest,” she said.
Imagine entering a magical mountain woodland, where earthy tones meet formal cocktail attire.
The Chamber is encouraging guests to embrace elegant eveningwear with a natureinspired twist. Whether you’re an elegant elf, a crowned ruler or a wildflower incarnate, if you want to show up and be dressed to impress, Walker suggests exploring emerald, bark brown, moss green, gold, soft neutrals, and vivid pops of wildflower-inspired hues like pink, cornflower blue, or lilac. Outfit element suggestions include whimsical velvet, silk, floral or botanical prints, nature-themed and statement jewelry, or forest-inspired accessories.
The awards spotlight Whistler’s most inspiring business leaders, emerging brands, community contributors, and cultural champions. The finalists span 10 distinguished award categories:
CITIZEN OF THE YEAR
(presented by Race & Company LLP, with Whistler Community Foundation)
Ashlie Girvan, 100 Women of Whistler Who Care
Ann Chiasson, Re/Max Sea to Sky Real Estate Ltd.
Sue Maxwell, Whistler Wellness Collaborative / Whistler 360
BUSINESS PERSON OF THE YEAR
(presented by BDO)
Jay & James Pare, Pare Group
Ann Chiasson, Re/Max Sea to Sky Real Estate Ltd.
Nadia Demers, Ziptrek Ecotours Inc.
EMERGING BUSINESS OF THE YEAR
(sponsorship open)
A Little Bud
The Bhavana Studio
Flashback Whistler Photo Booth
INNOVATIVE BUSINESS OF THE YEAR
(presented by Beedie Living)
Deorum Ski
Brahmi Rituals
Fairmont Chateau Whistler
RISING STAR OF THE YEAR
(presented by the Hotel Association of Whistler)
Brittany Stephenson, The Bhavana Studio
Rebecca Mason, Laugh Out LIVE!
Chris Granicolo, Reactive Design
SUSTAINABILITY IN ACTION BUSINESS
(presented by Cascade Environmental Resource Group, with AWARE) GNAR Inc
Two categories—Service Excellence-Small Business and Service Excellence-Large Business—had yet to be announced as of Pique’s press time.
Finalists will gather in October to see who takes home the coveted awards—celebrating excellence, community spirit, and the innovation that defines Whistler. n
KING CONGA Whistler’s longest conga line (400-plus guests) at the 2024 Whistler Excellence Awards.
PHOTO BY JOERN ROHDE / COURTESY OF THE WHISTLER CHAMBER
Whistler to host World Cup downhill races beginning fall 2026
CREEKSIDE’S 1199 TRACK WILL WELCOME THE UCI NEXT SEPTEMBER
BY DAVID SONG
LAST AUGUST, Finn Iles expressed his desire for the UCI Mountain Bike World Series to expand to his hometown. Such a wish will soon be granted now that Whistler has officially been announced as a World Cup host: beginning fall 2026 and carrying through 2028.
On Sept. 26 and 27 of next year, the 1199 venue in Creekside will bear witness to Whistler’s maiden World Cup downhill race.
“We are honoured to serve as a host to the most prestigious biking competition in the world at one of North America’s most beloved mountain bike parks,” said Belinda Trembath, COO of Whistler Blackcomb (WB), in a press release. “Our team takes pride in delivering an incredible experience for guests and athletes alike, and I’m excited for this to be on full display next year. Our team built and designed the 1199 downhill track for the sole purpose of hosting events of this calibre, and we are thrilled to be hosting the UCI World Cup Downhill at the [Whistler Mountain Bike Park].”
Accordingly, WB will serve as the local organizing committee for future World Cups. These competitions are likely to drive regional tourism throughout the Sea to Sky.
“Our organization recognizes the vital role
that events—aligned with our community’s rich mountain culture—play in enhancing Whistler’s appeal,” said Barrett Fisher, president and CEO of Tourism Whistler, in the
release. “With mountain biking at the heart of our summer experience, the UCI DH World Cup aligns well with Whistler’s vibrant calendar of annual events—filling a need period,
“We look forward to sharing this world-class event...”
- BARRETT FISHER
supporting local businesses, and sustaining year-round employment for our community. We look forward to sharing this world-class event with residents and visitors alike.”
Mayor Jack Crompton added: “Whistler has obviously become a true centre for mountain biking. Having the UCI Mountain Bike Series is a welcome addition to our event calendar. We wish the best to the organizers, WB and the athletes who will compete here.” n
Whistler Blackcomb targets Nov. 21 opening for 2025-26 ski season
RESORT’S 60TH-ANNIVERSARY YEAR WILL FEATURE NEW WONDER ROUTES, EXTENDED SEASON AND EPIC PASS PERKS WITH LOWEST PRICES AVAILABLE UNTIL SEPT. 1
BREAK OUT your tuning kit! Whistler Blackcomb is gearing up for its 60th-anniversary season, with Vail Resorts announcing Nov. 21 as the target opening date for the 2025-26 winter.
The resort says the milestone year will feature new “Wonder Routes,” a network of trails, waypoints and stops designed to highlight the mountain’s terrain and aprèsski culture. Whistler Blackcomb is also preparing to once again host the World Ski and Snowboard Festival in April.
The upcoming season will run through May, depending on conditions, giving passholders and visitors more than six months of skiing and snowboarding.
Epic Passes remain on sale at the lowest price of the fall until Sept. 1, offering access to Whistler Blackcomb and more than 90 resorts worldwide. The 2025-26 Epic Pass is priced in USD at $1,075 for adults and $548 for children.
This year also introduces “Epic Friend Tickets,” which give passholders between six and 10 vouchers for 50-per-cent-off lift
tickets that can be shared with friends. Friends who use one of these discounted tickets can apply the full cost toward the purchase of a 2026-27 pass.
All Epic Passes include 20 per cent off food, lodging, rentals and lessons through Epic Mountain Rewards, along with access to the My Epic app for mobile lift tickets, realtime trail maps and friend tracking.
Whistler Blackcomb notes the Nov. 21 opening date remains weather-dependent.
- By Liz McDonald n
COMMUNITYOPENHOUSE
Beedie Living is hostingtwo CommunityOpenHouses to shareanupdateonthe developmentconcept andreceive inputonthe proposed community benefits packagefor theproposed developmentat 4500 Northlands Boulevard, Whistler.
Interested membersofthe public areinvited to attend a Community Open House to learnabout the proposalandoffer feedback
Youmayalsoparticipatevirtually fromSeptember15thto27th at: www.4500northlands. com
Location: Myrtle Philip CommunityCentre, MillarRoom (6195 LorimerRoad, Whistler,BC)
Whistler Golf Club to close until 2027 for renovations
$10M REVAMP WILL BEGIN SEPT. 2, WITH COURSE SET TO REOPEN SUMMER 2027
BY BRADEN DUPUIS
GOLFERS IN WHISTLER will have one less course at their disposal next summer as the Whistler Golf Club is set to close for substantial renovations this week.
The course in the heart of Whistler will undergo a $10-million “transformative renovation” this fall, according to Tourism Whistler.
The last day of public play will be Monday, Sept. 1, with renovations beginning Sept. 2.
The course’s grand reopening is planned for early summer 2027.
According to a release from Tourism Whistler, the enhancements are being led by golf course architect Thad Layton, formerly with Arnold Palmer Course Design, and include: Redesigned tee complexes to suit golfers of all skill levels; bunker updates to improve playability; realignment of greens on holes 3 and 12 to improve sightlines and player safety; and updates to cart paths for enhanced course flow.
The project includes a full renovation of Palmers Restaurant, updates to the clubhouse patio, and a new snack shack next to the first hole offering grab-n-go food items, the release said, with construction for these projects planned for spring 2026, pending
permitting timelines.
“The Whistler Golf Club originally opened in 1983. At 42 years old, the course is in need of updates to ensure it remains competitive,” said Alan Kristmanson, general manager of
the Whistler Golf Club, in the release. “These renovations will elevate the experience at the Whistler Golf Club by enhancing the course’s playability, beauty, and safety. I look forward to our grand reopening and unveiling the course’s contemporary new design.”
The Whistler Driving Range, the Whistler Golf Club Retail Shop, and The “SIM”—the Whistler Golf Club’s indoor golf simulator facility in the clubhouse—will all stay open on their usual seasonal schedules during construction.
“As the managers and operators of the Whistler Golf Club, Tourism Whistler is very excited for this work to commence,” said Tourism Whistler president and CEO Barrett Fisher, in the release. “These renovations will modernize the course, ensuring the Whistler Golf Club remains a premium, playable course that attracts visitors from around the world for decades to come.”
Golfers are encouraged to get their final swings in at the Whistler Golf Club, with rounds available through the Labour Day long weekend. Tee times can be booked at whistlergolf.com or by calling 1-800-376-1777.
And for those worried about their golf game getting rusty once it closes, Tourism Whistler points out the corridor is home to four championship golf courses—the Whistler Golf Club, The Fairmont Chateau Whistler Golf Club, Nicklaus North Golf Course, and Big Sky Golf Club—not to mention other offerings in both Pemberton and Squamish like Sunstone Golf Club and the Squamish Valley Golf Club.
Read more at whistler.com/golf. n
CLOSED FORE RENOVATIONS The Whistler Golf Club is set to close until summer 2027 for an extensive, $10-million renovation.
FACEBOOK PHOTO / COURTESY OF THE WHISTLER GOLF CLUB
Twenty years on, Slow Food Cycle still rolling strong in Pemberton
‘A MUTUAL APPRECIATION EVENT’
BY LUKE FAULKS
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
WHEN THE FIRST Slow Food Cycle Sunday came onto the scene in 2005, founders Anna Helmer and Lisa Richardson weren’t sure what they had on their hands.
“Lisa and I had been talking about how many maps to print out,” recalled Helmer, whose family has farmed in the Pemberton Valley for more than a century. “We started with like, 40 or something, and then thought, “Maybe we should go to 100.” And for the actual event day, we did 150.
“And then 400 people registered.”
The combination of bicycles, food and farmland proved irresistible. Over the next decade, thousands of riders would flock to the Valley each August to pedal the flat, scenic stretch of Pemberton Meadows Road and stop along the way to taste what the valley had to offer.
But the ride was also born out of something deeper than summer fun.
At a 2005 public meeting about the Rocky Mountaineer train, Richardson recalled a consultant dismissing Pemberton as a place with “nothing worth stopping for.” For local farmers and small business owners who saw the train as a chance to reach new visitors, it stung. For Helmer and Richardson, it became
a challenge.
“It was kind of a blow,” Richardson said. “But I met Anna there, and we started brainstorming. We realized Pemberton doesn’t have a signature event. And at the same time, we asked, ‘What do people not understand about Pemberton?’”
For Helmer, the answer was simple: consumers, disconnected from the people growing their food, weren’t aware of the development pressures farmers faced. For Richardson, the event would be about learning a little more about the people behind the produce.
“Anna was like, “It’s about farmland and I want to protect farmland,” recalled Richardson. “And I reflected the perspective of the more urban person who has no real relationship with where their food comes from.”
It proved to be a potent combination. The first year’s success was a revelation, and the momentum snowballed.
“The next year, I was heading in to the start of the ride and seeing like, vehicles loaded with bikes pulling into town looking for somewhere to park,” recalled Richardson. “I was like, ‘Oh, hang on a second here.’”
A BIG ASK
Richardson remembers being worried about how much of a departure the event would be from the quiet farming status quo in the Valley.
“Pemberton didn’t have a farmers’ market at the time and there were no harvest boxes, so it was a really radical idea,” she recalled. “I don’t know what it was like for Anna to
convince people, like, ‘Come and let people on your farm and let them see what’s happening on your property.’”
Helmer agreed it was a big ask.
“As a farmer, you’re generally really dirty and hot and the last thing really that you can handle is somebody wandering down the driveway that wants to have a look around and ask a lot of questions. It’s very counter-intuitive,” she said. “But on Slow Food Cycle Sundays, it totally works; people are welcome in the valley and welcome to come down the driveway. And I think most farmers are feeling that love and that appreciation and are also appreciating that there are people making an effort to come out here.
“It’s a mutual appreciation event, is what it is.”
Still, sustaining the event has been far from simple. Feeding thousands of cyclists in a single day is a logistical challenge for small farms. Some years brought rainstorms or wildfires that forced cancellations. A few years in, Richardson’s other writing and public relations roles took her away from her Slow Food duties. A few years back, Helmer also stepped back from organizing.
“I just thought, ‘There’s 4,000 people coming down [our] driveway, and I’m here in town parking cars,’” said Helmer. “All of a sudden, I was like, Oh my God, this can’t go on.” Handing the reins to Tourism Pemberton and professional event managers allowed the cycle to keep rolling and for Helmer to meet with those guests on the Slow Food Sunday.
‘INNER FARMERS’
The organizers said Slow Food Cycle’s most enduring contribution—even moreso than giving the Village its signature event—is the relationships it has fostered between farmers and their own community. The annual Sunday event has helped farmers understand the degree to which their work is appreciated, and given attendees a glimpse into the farm life that used to be the norm for a much larger contingent of the population.
“It’s not been that very many generations since everybody worked on a farm, or had a relation on a farm, [or] spent summers on a farm,” explained Helmer. “And I know how much I feel strongly attached to the land, and I think tons of people do feel really strongly attached to land, but don’t have the opportunities to get in touch with their inner farmers. And I think we can offer that.”
Richardson says the event’s legacy also belongs to unsung contributors who kept it alive year after year. She points to Nikki Vankirk, Helmer’s partner, who “stepped in around year two or three in a really hands-on way,” and artist Lisa Ankeny, who designed the original logo still in use today.
Two decades after its modest beginnings— and having potentially outlasted the Rocky Mountaineer that refused to stop in the Village way back when—Slow Food Cycle remains a Pemberton institution.
“It was a special event,” Helmer reflected. “And I’m really proud to still be associated with it. We’re all in this together—even though we’re in different worlds.” n
STILL FRESH Event founders Lisa Richardson (left) and Anna Helmer reflect on 20 years of Pemberton’s Slow Food Cycle.
PHOTO COURTESY OF LISA RICHARDSON
SAVE THE WHISTLER RACKET CLUB!
The Beedie Development Group will present their latest Northlands site proposal this September and once again, there are NO plans to replace the Whistler Racket Club & Community Facility.
No land identified for a replacement facility. No ownership structure determined. No money allocated.
In the first two rounds of public engagement the community has already spoken, wishing to preserve our recreation and social hub
WHAT WE’RE ASKING
Reject the current proposal.
Do not shut down the WRC until a replacement is completed.
Require immediate funding for a new racket facility.
We’re not asking for more than we already have - just to defend our current zoning.
Paid for by Shauna O’Callaghan PREC* With 29 years as a realtor in Whistler, I was here when our community traded bed units for this amenity and employee housing. I understand zoning and obligations - and I am passionate about protecting the vision of Whistler’s world-class planners who secured our community asset for our future
Saturday, August 30 @ WRC th 4:00 PM onwards
Email Mayor & Council:
Send Letters to the Pique: Facebook Group: council@whistler.ca letters@piquenewsmagazine.com
Overdose Awareness Week spotlights gaps and local solutions in the Sea to Sky
LOCAL SERVICE PROVIDERS SAY HOUSING SHORTAGES, STIGMA AND LIMITED RESOURCES ARE COMPOUNDING THE REGION’S OVERDOSE CRISIS
BY LUKE FAULKS Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
THE SQUAMISH-LILLOOET Regional District (SLRD) has proclaimed Aug. 25 to 31 as International Overdose Awareness Week, joining communities worldwide in recognizing the devastating toll of the toxic drug crisis. The move comes just a few weeks after the St’át’imc Chiefs Council declared its own state of emergency over the toxic drug crisis.
While overdose deaths are often associated with urban centres, local service providers warn northern communities like Pemberton, Mount Currie and the surrounding St’át’imc Nations and unincorporated communities face unique challenges. Fewer health services, a lack of affordable housing and the need to travel long distances for detox or treatment contribute to what frontline workers describe as a worsening crisis.
“Housing is central to everything,” said Stevie Madden, a program manager with Sea to Sky Community Services (SSCS). “If you’re not housed, your mental health and substance use are affected. In Pemberton and the [southern St’át’imc] Nations, affordable and safe housing options are scarce, which increases the likelihood of relapse or crisis.”
Studies of B.C.’s overdose crisis show while most overdoses happen in cities, people in rural areas are more likely to die when an overdose occurs. According to the BC Centre for Disease Control, the odds of an overdose being fatal are about 30-per-cent higher outside urban centres. In some of the most remote regions of the province, the risk climbs to nearly 50-per-cent higher.
Madden said part of the issue is detox and recovery programs are still concentrated in Vancouver, which can put people in triggering environments.
“You go to detox for two weeks, then step out into an area where drugs [can be] more accessible than ever,” he said. “It risks people relapsing.”
Service providers in the corridor say they are left to address the root causes of addiction: unstable housing, poor mental-health supports and fractured family systems. SSCS runs more than 40 programs—from counselling and youth support to housing outreach and the Pemberton Food Bank—and collaborates with RCMP, Vancouver Coastal Health and Indigenous organizations through regular “situation tables” to coordinate urgent cases.
But the gap between demand and resources continues to widen. Pemberton’s population has grown sharply, yet waitlists for counselling and family supports are growing. Madden said staffing and resources have not kept pace with the demand.
The Harrow Road project in Pemberton is being described as an answer. SSCS expects the new community hub will host multiple services under one roof, including Foundry—a provincial program that integrates youth
mental health, substance-use support, primary care and peer services. Foundry already operates a hub in Squamish, and Foundry staff are working out of temporary facilities in Pemberton. SSCS executive director Jaye Russell said a permanent home for services in Pemberton will help address longstanding inequities—including housing through the Harrow Road building.
“There’s a clear imbalance in access across the corridor,” Russell said. “Whistler and Squamish have established services, but families in Pemberton and the northern communities deserve the same level of care. Local solutions are needed for local challenges.”
Both Russell and Madden say stigma remains a barrier. While attitudes have shifted, communities can still attach shame to substance use, making people less likely to seek help.
“We try to stress that relapse or crisis isn’t a moral failure,” Madden said. “It’s a breakdown in access to resources.”
For Russell, International Overdose Awareness Week is a reminder that behind each statistic is a family in crisis.
“Every program we offer is ultimately about walking alongside people toward a healthier future,” she said. “We’re just one piece of that overall suite of supports, and we’re really grateful to be a part of it.”
“We try to stress that relapse or crisis isn’t a moral failure.”
- STEVIE MADDEN
If you or a loved one need help, the following resources are available:
Kuu-Us Crisis Line (Indigenous-specific, 24/7): 1-800-588-8717; Sea to Sky Crisis Line (24/7): 1-866-6613311; Mental Health & Addictions, Pemberton (Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.): 604-698-5861; Kids Help Phone: 1-800-668-6868/ youthinbc.com; Pemberton Health Centre (24 hours): 604894-6185.
Naloxone, a medication that temporarily reverses the effects of opioids, is available in B.C. without a prescription. A full list of sites with take-home Naloxone kits across the province can be found at towardtheheart. com. Toxic drug alerts can be found on the same site. For alerts in your health authority, text JOIN to 253787.
International Overdose Awareness Day is Aug. 31. More information is available at overdoseday.com. n
$1,550,000
$599,000
$2,449,000
$2,990,000
$1,625,000
kathleen@wrec.com
lindsay@wrec.com
Whistler’s
$399,000
Village
$1,629,000 Townhouse
SQ.FT.: 973 Beds: 2 Baths: 2
SQ.FT.:
$749,000
SQ.FT.:
$3,295,000
$699,000 Townhouse
SQ.FT.: 425 Beds: 1 Baths: 1
$2,599,000
$575,000
#207-8080 Nicklaus North Blvd, Green Lake Estates, Whistler
$1,375,000 Condominium
SQ.FT.: 1,012 Beds: 2 Baths: 2
Joffre Lakes closing to visitors is inevitable
THERE’S NO WAY around it anymore.
Pipi7íyekw/Joffre Lakes Provincial Park needs to close. Whether it’s for weeks, months, seasons or years—however long it needs to heal. Despite BC Parks capping the number of visitors per day and doing its best to manage dangerous parking practises on the Duffey Lake Road, it hasn’t been enough. This pristine
place is overrun.
BY VINCE SHULEY
There are respectful park users in those crowds; folks who obey signage, pack out their trash and don’t feed already obese whiskey jacks for the sake of an Instagram story. But there are many disrespectful park users in those crowds, too, many who aren’t aware of their actions, or who don’t care enough to change their behaviour. They trample sensitive ground vegetation to take lame selfies, leave trash behind and generally treat this backcountry area as if it were an amusement park.
Pipi7íyekw/Joffre Lakes Provincial Park lies on the traditional territory of the Líl’wat and N’Quatqua Nations. It was first established as a recreation area in 1988 and in 1996 it became an official provincial park, protecting it from commercial and industrial developments.
But it needs more protection now—from us. Over the course of almost 30 years as a
provincial park, the impact of visitation has increased an order of magnitude each decade.
We all know the reasons. Around 2013, BC Parks began upgrading the hiking trail to a gravel path that made it easier than ever to access the second and third lakes. Then came Instagram, the people who call themselves “influencers,” and the people who couldn’t live without a photo on that damn log (colloquially known as the “instalog,” it often has a lineup of dozens of people, all wanting the same picturesque photo that conveniently crops out the hordes of park visitors on the shores of the lake).
In 2017, dogs were banned. This was inevitable given how much dog shit wasn’t getting picked up by owners, much of it getting left to contaminate the waterways and the lakes themselves. In 2019, the park reached an all-time high of 196,300 visitors, which was an increase of 222 per cent since 2010. In 2022, following successful implementation
2024 to 103 days in 2025. BC Parks agreed to close the park for just 68 days.
“This is not reconciliation,” Dean Nelson, political chief of Lil’wat Nation told the CBC ahead of the protest. “This is a continuation of colonial decision-making, you know, disregarding our needs and values on the land.”
The Minister of Environment, Tamara Davidson, was interviewed on Aug. 21 by CBC’s On the Coast program and was pressed by host Gloria Macarenko on why BC Parks was not coming to the table on lengthening the closures.
“It’s a really hard challenge to find a balance between many people that want to come and have that same experience,” the minister said. “When we have visitors that are experiencing that same connection to the land, they’re the ones that are really going to fight hard to make sure that land is protected.”
Turning visitors into stewards is a
In 2019, the park reached an all-time high of 196,300 visitors, which was an increase of 222 per cent since 2010.
in other BC Parks, visitors needed to register for a free day-use pass to access Pipi7íyekw/ Joffre Lakes Provincial Park. This did help with people traffic, and especially with the dangerous parking that was taking place alongside Highway 99.
Last Friday (Aug. 22) the Líl’wat and N’Quatqua Nations held a two-hour protest, blocking access to the park past Mount Currie. BC Parks had ignored the Nations’ request to increase the closure dates from 60 days in
romantic notion. But if you’ve hiked Joffre Lakes in the last few years, you know these handfuls of stewards are fighting a losing battle against the hordes, just like the BC Park rangers and staff are.
The Nations have stated they want this time for their cultural practices, such as hunting, fishing, harvesting medicines and engaging in spiritual activities. As Casey Gonzalez of Líl’wat Nation put it in an interview with Global News: “Our
community members do not want to be gawked or watched … as they do their cultural ceremonies.”
The discrepancy on the appropriate amount of closure between BC Parks and the two Nations puts park users in an awkward position (at least the users who consider the needs of others above their own). Officially, BC Parks will close the park from Sept. 2 to Oct. 3. But the Nations have asked everyone to respect their wishes and not enter the park during their Reconnection Periods between Aug. 22 and Oct. 23. The aforementioned cultural ceremonies are part of a larger goal to assist the well-being of the two Nations’ community members as they look for traditional methods to help cope with grief, addictions, suicide and mental health. The other goal is to give the area some time to heal from the trampling of thousands of visitors every weekend.
The solution is simple. Do not go to Joffre Lakes when the traditional owners of the land ask you not to visit. BC Parks is trying to balance the Nations’ needs with the rights of its citizens to access provincial parks. So it’s up to you—the individual—to make the right decision.
This isn’t about wokeism or capitulation. We (the visitors on this land) are the ones who blew it. We succumbed to the alluring internet portrayals of this beautiful place. We fed our egos in an attempt to replicate that portrayal for our own social media accounts. If we lose access to Pipi7íyekw/Joffre Lakes Provincial Park altogether, it won’t be the fault of the traditional owners, or oven BC Parks. It will be our own doing.
Vince Shuley doesn’t want you to love it to death. For questions, comments or suggestions for The Outsider, email vince.shuley@gmail.com or Instagram @whis_vince. n
RARE SIGHT Quiet moments like this one are few and far between on the Joffre Lakes hiking trail.
Co-Listedwith: Bill Wong,RealtorSutton-Centre Realty &
kathy.white@evrealestate.com
“BACK TO THE FUTURE,” LEVI NELSON, 2023
ARE WE LIVING IN THE END TIMES?
BY WILL JOHNSON
Doesn’t it sometimes feel like the world is ending?
No matter how religious you are, chances are you have an idea about how our world will come to a finale one day—and that opinion probably relies heavily on the conclusion of the Bible, the Book of Revelation, whether you realize it or not. Written less than 100 years after Jesus’ crucifixion, its apocalyptic prophecy is deep-baked into Western culture and provides the ideological foundation for every artistic depiction of dystopian collapse we see today.
But what if the End Times aren’t a fixed date in the future, waiting to draw all of our human drama and misery to a horn-blowing close, but a series of cyclical events that resilient human beings ultimately survive and learn from? What if the apocalypse has already happened, is happening all around us, and will happen again in the future? How would that change the way you conceptualize your life?
Would it transform how you imagine your future?
THE GREAT FLOOD
Almost every culture on Earth has a story about a devastating flood that covered the entire planet, and the Lil’wat Nation is no different. This is the first great apocalypse of historical memory, a watery cataclysm that nearly wiped human beings off the face of the Earth.
Through the oral storytelling of elders such as Charlie Mack, who passed away in 1990, Lil’wat people learn about how villages near what has become Whistler banded together to load up canoes and survived the rising waters in a pair of flotillas attached to the mountain peaks. This was the story told to Lil’wat artist Levi Nelson, and it ultimately informed both his worldview and his art.
“Every single generation there’s this idea of an apocalypse. On one hand it can be a fear-based thing to control the masses—‘be good because when Jesus returns you won’t go to heaven,’” Nelson tells Pique
“On the other hand, art can say things that words can’t. I think it’s a natural reaction. Artists are emotional people and in order for us to survive we need to get it out in the form of music or art or writing in order to make sense of what we can’t put into words. It makes it tangible so we can understand and find a way to overcome it.”
“A PRAYER FOR
Nelson incorporates his cultural learning into his paintings and multimedia creations, which were recently featured at the Invictus Games. He feels a spiritual connection to the land that seeps into the symbology of his work, and his art is an attempt to reclaim the parts of his culture lost or fractured due to colonialism.
“I learned about the great flood as told by Charlie Mack. The great flood is one of our end-time legends that signifies a new beginning. In a sense I agree with how the apocalypse can be cyclical, not just one great ending,” he says.
“It can be identified all over the world in historical crises like the AIDS epidemic and even the world wars.”
IS THIS THE END?
Indigenous artists are increasingly drawn to themes of the apocalypse, world-wide.
For Ojibwe author Waubgeshig Rice, author of Moon of the Crusted Snow and its sequel, the End Times are reimagined as a slightly exaggerated version of the realities facing residents of an Ontario reservation. In Australia there’s The Tribe series, created by Palyku writer Ambelin
FOR
WATER,” LEVI NELSON, 2023
Kwaymullina, where outcasts struggle to survive in a dystopia overseen by an oppressive government.
In visual art, Blackfoot artist Adrian Stimson depicts stylized buffalo menaced by the iconic atomic mushroom. A quick Google search will yield images of cyberpunk warriors, a derelict version of Edmonton’s Rogers Place, and nude, sunglasses-wearing Indigenous women festooned with futuristic symbols. Deviantart has a surplus of headdresswearing cyborgs.
FEATURE STORY
Over and over, the future is envisioned as a version of the present.
In 2015, Indigenous writer Rebecca Roanhorse wrote: “What if I told you there had been a zombie apocalypse? What if I told you that you were the zombies?”
LIFE IN DYSTOPIA
It depends on what you count as an apocalypse.
For Indigenous people, the devastating effects of colonialism qualified—their people were decimated, their way of life was irrevocably destroyed, and now they find themselves living in a dystopic version of what once was. Over hundreds of years they witnessed the destruction of their environment, the theft of their homes, and finally the indignity and cruelty of residential schools.
For Nelson growing up, his aunt described their culture as a shattered mirror. With his artwork he’s trying to play with the pieces, and put them back together again.
“Right now white people are talking about the end of the world because they’re being affected by climate change, but the end of the world for Indigenous people already happened,” he says. “First Contact, smallpox, and living on Indigenous reservations—that’s a fucked up concept to me, still.”
There’s a word Nelson embraces: survivance.
“Survivance speaks about the continuation of Indigenous stories, and living Indigenously in a Western world,” he says. “It combines the words ‘survival’ and ‘resistance’ and steers us away from being victims in the system. We’re continuing to thrive with what’s been taken away, and what we still have.”
When checking out Nelson’s work on Instagram, viewers see the colliding of different styles in a post-modern mash. One piece can incorporate realism, surrealism and cartoons, such as his piece in which an Indigenous-styled raven trickster sits on a branch amidst a Salvador Dali landscape, a melting clock drooling down beside it like a discarded pizza.
In the foreground, a realistic coyote gazes impassively at the viewer while behind him a Looney Tunes-style silhouette of its cartoon counterpart is creamed against a paintingwithin-a-painting of a highway.
“When I expand my practice, I’m not limited to baking the same cake over and over again,” Nelson says.
In another piece, he juxtaposes a broken-down rez car with mythology.
“Hamatsa dancers, a thunderbird totem pole and a 1960 Ford Thunderbird create a space where the past and present seemingly collide. I’m thinking about the grandeur of Renaissance paintings, not necessarily in subject matter but in terms of the historia,” he writes on Instagram.
“Although, similarities can be drawn between objects of a sacred nature and their spiritual and/or religious meanings. The broken down Rez car, a common site where I come from, stands as a testament to hope.”
MOURNING
This artwork is born from pain.
Even the most playful piece has its origins at the depths
of Indigenous grief, as the artists navigate a world in which missing and murdered women are ignored, systemic racism leads to neglect and death, and Indigenous people disproportionately face everything from poverty to outright violence.
In recent years, Nelson was overcome by the number of funerals he attended.
“I remember being at funerals on our reserve, which last for four days, and at the tail end of 2023 we were losing people left and right. It seemed like every single week, every three days even, somebody was dying,” he says.
“Right at the end of COVID, that seemed like an apocalypse. There was alcoholism and drug overdoses and car accidents. It was a really dark time, and I started keeping a calendar of when people were dying.”
Nelson was moved by the words of a medicine man, emphasizing hope amidst the pain.
“As hard as it is to see, the weak ones are making room for the survivors. He said when a lot of people began to die off, that’s one of the prophecies coming true—because people were being born as well,” he says.
That’s why Nelson doesn’t see his work as being bleak or pessimistic.
“I see this as a period of great change,” he says. “Values are shifting, but people are coming together more than falling apart and I feel like when certain people come along who are corrupt, there’s a reason for that, too. In some ways I see it as a blessing, because it brings about the closing of an era. It inspires people to change for the better.” n
“BOY WITH PEPSI,” LEVI NELSON, 2025
Elly Hoskin fends off Raphaela Richter to win Enduro World Cup season finale in Morillon
JESSE MELAMED LOCKS DOWN SILVER AND SECOND OVERALL AMONG MEN
BY DAVID SONG
RAPHAELA RICHTER made things interesting, but she and the rest of the elite women’s field proved no match for a dominant Elly Hoskin.
The newly-minted two-time Canadian Open Enduro queen struck more World Cup (EDR) gold in Morillon, France on Aug. 24 with a near-24 second advantage (49:40.855) over silver medallist Richter (50:04.475). Simona Kuchynková held on for bronze (50:38.476).
“I’m just really happy. It was a long, long week and I’m really glad I got to back up that first win at the last stop, I was itching for that,” Hoskin said in a press release. “My mum was texting me all day, telling me via emojis how good I was doing. Rafa [Richter] was really on my ass for a bit and then I had a good stage eight and just had to keep it together on the last one.”
Jesse Melamed, despite his best efforts, relinquished both a five-second lead and
ultimate victory to Alex Rudeau (42:13.460). Whistler’s enduro ace did pull into runnerup position (42:17.094) ahead of his fellow Canuck Lief Rodgers (42:40.558).
Melamed also clinched second overall in the yearlong EDR rankings with 1,880 points,
“Finishing the year with four podiums in a row and a win is exactly what I wanted after a less-than-stellar 2024 season. Big thanks to the team for always supporting me in the best way possible no matter what, they have been amazing to me. And to [Baptiste Labrousse] for
“I’m just really happy. It was a long, long week and I’m really glad I got to back up that first win...”
- ELLY HOSKIN
edging out Charles Murray (1,830). Slawomir Lukasik finished the season on top with a good lead (2,312).
Known for being pensive at times on his Instagram account, Melamed wrote: “That makes five overall podiums in the last six years. I really, really wanted to maintain my overall position this weekend so that was my only goal. I’m stoked to deliver on that, and to move into [second] at the last race with another podium finish. After thinking my season was finished with 102nd at round one, it feels unreal to have climbed back up this far.
coming in last-minute and doing an amazing job. We made a good team in the end!”
Ella Conolly, who did not appear in Morillon, won the ladies’ overall (2,250) as Kuchynková placed second in that department (2,030). Nadine Ellecosta found herself third (1,820).
‘THE VIBE IN FRANCE’
Hoskin’s final day of racing in Morillon did not start according to plan. She hemorrhaged time on Stages 5, 6 and 7 until Kuchynková had
closed to within a second.
The Squamolian found another gear on her penultimate stage, however: augmenting her lead to more than 16 seconds over her closest rivals. She wound up third on Stage 9 and needed nothing more to make her big win official. It’s a decisive end to the season for an athlete who has previously spoken about her journey to gain confidence amongst the world’s best.
Rudeau likewise came out guns blazing on Sunday, erasing Melamed’s advantage before building his own. The Whistlerite fought back on lengthy Stage 8, but his French opponent closed the show nonetheless.
“Feeling good,” said Rudeau to the media. “It’s my 22nd victory and the last one was in 2023 in France also, so I think the vibe in France is good for me. I really like this kind of format: two days of racing.”
Melamed quipped that he might have prevailed if he “didn’t hit so many trees.”
Rodgers, meanwhile, basked in the glory of his first career World Cup podium: a third-place outing to mirror his back-to-back Canadian Open Enduro bronzes. “Feels so good,” he wrote on social media. “Still letting it all sink in. Thank you everyone.”
Visit ucimtbworldseries.com/ results/2025/haute-savoie-edr-2025 for more EDR results from Morillon. n
RIDING HIGH Elly Hoskin basks in the cheers of her home crowd at the 2025 Canadian Open Enduro.
PHOTO BY CLINT TRAHAN
Jack McCredie reflects on milestone 2025 season
THE LOCAL DOWNHILL BIKER IS THE INCUMBENT U19 NATIONAL CHAMPION
BY DAVID SONG
JACK MCCREDIE’S relationship with riding began in 2020, when he discovered one of his father Ross’ old bikes in the basement of their family home. They went for a spin, and his passion for mountain biking grew naturally from there.
Fast forward to this July and you’ll find McCredie emerging victorious at the Canadian Downhill (DH) Mountain Bike Championships in Sun Peaks. He broke the beam in four minutes and 36.068 seconds, quicker than all other U19 boys including silver medallist Ryder Wilson (4:38.233) and Mateo Quist, who nabbed bronze (4:38.424).
“I honestly still can’t believe it!” McCredie said. “It’s an unreal feeling to see all the work I’ve put on and off the bike finally pay off. It’s definitely the biggest win of my career so far. I did everything based on a detailed plan I had outlined prior to the week. This gave me the assurance in the start gate that I had done everything I could, which helped turn off my brain [and allowed] me to get into a flow state.
“With such a physical track, I knew that if I didn’t give that run everything… then I would be mad about it for the next year so from start to finish, I gave the run everything I had in me.”
McCredie favours downhill above other events because it offers a combination of high velocities, lofty jumps and technical riding that pushes his limits each time out. He feels Whistler boasts one of Earth’s best bike parks and has also cut his teeth on a plethora of quality trails from Pemberton to the North Shore. Along the way, he’s met talented athletes from around the world and befriended many of them.
Now a member of Future Frameworks, McCredie is excited for what comes next.
“It was an amazing opportunity to race World Cups and to be associated with Neko Mulally and his team,” he explained. “They
have an amazing culture, and all the riders and support staff are super fun to ride and hang out with.”
UP AND DOWN
This year is McCredie’s first brush with the UCI World Cup, and naturally the season has delivered ups and downs.
The Whistlerite notched some respectable results in North Carolina and Tennessee, but admittedly lost his mojo in Europe. Struggling with the format and lifestyle of overseas racing, he proved unable to make the final in each of his first five World Cups. Yet McCredie would slowly rebuild his confidence, learning to ride outside his comfort zone whilst adapting to different tracks and variable conditions.
On July 12, he qualified for his maiden World Cup final in Pal Arinsal, Andorra, finishing in 30th place.
McCredie had been aiming for the RockShox Canadian Open DH at Crankworx Whistler again this summer, where his best performance to date was second as a U17 two years ago. 1199 ranks among his favourite tracks and even now, with half a dozen World Cups under his belt to date, he feels it’s one of the most challenging courses anywhere.
Unfortunately the latest Canadian Open DH was axed due to inclement weather, but McCredie did participate in the Whip-Off won by Alessio Tonoli and Janelle Soukup.
At 16 years old, McCredie has plenty of time to sharpen his skills further. He credits several people for investing in him: like Mullaly, Instinct Development coach Ash Jones, Travis Bothner from Ride NF and of course his parents Ross and Kristi. Now the UCI World Championships are fast approaching, with downhill qualifying scheduled to begin Sept. 4, and McCredie hopes to make both Canada and Whistler proud.
“My goal for the rest of the season is to carry the momentum from Nationals into the next block of World Cup racing,” he said. n
AFTERTENNISSCHOOL
AVAILABLE FOR AGES 4 AND UP
AIR APPARENT Jack McCredie goes airborne on his mountain bike.
PHOTO BY LIAM MCMAHON
Charcuterie and wine nights bring Cranked back to Whistler evenings
SUCCESSFUL PILOT PROJECT PAIRS LOCAL FLAVOURS WITH A RELAXED NEIGHBOURHOOD VIBE IN RAINBOW
BY LUKE FAULKS
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
FOR YEARS , Cranked Espresso Bar has been a bright daytime hub in Whistler’s Rainbow neighbourhood—a spot where locals can grab their morning coffee, meet for lunch and settle into its easygoing atmosphere. Now, for the first time since the pandemic, Cranked is dipping its toes back into evening service with a brand-new weekly offering: charcuterie and wine night.
The event made its debut this month as a pilot project, running Thursday evenings from 5 to 8 p.m. It has drawn a crowd of regulars and curious newcomers; Whistler Writers Festival founder Stella Harvey is one of the former. She recalls pre-pandemic evenings at Cranked being a space for musical acts and Writers Fest readings. She’s grateful for the return of that evening space in Rainbow.
“The food was excellent, the casual service welcoming and it was a lovely evening,” Harvey wrote to Pique. “Cranked
has remained a coffee, breakfast and lunch spot, but I’m so glad to see them return to this evening service.”
That sense of reconnection is exactly what Whistler Foods’ general manager, Alastair Cray, and Cranked owners Grant and Hilarie Cousar (who also run Hunter Gather, Mile
perfect way to reintroduce evening service— something approachable, social and tailored to the community.”
Cranked manager Natalia Lukasikova agreed, noting the pilot evenings have offered something deeper than just food and drink.
“There is a special atmosphere that
“A charcuterie and wine night felt like the perfect way to reintroduce evening service—something approachable, social and tailored to the community.”
- ALASTAIR CRAY
One, Routes Eatery and the Daylodge Café at Whistler Olympic Park) had in mind.
“Our aim was to create a casual, welcoming space in the quieter Rainbow neighbourhood where locals could gather and connect,” Cray said. “With such a strong base of regular customers, we wanted to respond directly to their interest in seeing more from Cranked in the evenings.
“A charcuterie and wine night felt like the
comes with these later hours,” she said. “Conversations flow naturally, and it feels more like a gathering than just a quick stop for a coffee in the morning.”
The boards themselves are designed with intention. Each one highlights the best of British Columbia, from artisan cheeses and cured meats to pickled vegetables and spreads. To complement them, Cranked is pouring VQA wines and a small list of cocktails, keeping the
pairings both thoughtful and unfussy.
“The focus is twofold: providing a relaxed, laid-back atmosphere right here in Rainbow, and showcasing the very best of B.C.,” Cray explained. “We aimed to thoughtfully curate charcuterie boards paired with VQA wines and feature cocktails, celebrating local flavours and the region’s unique wine culture.”
For Whistler, where many of the après and dinner options lean toward bustling village venues, the event offers something distinct. Tucked away in Rainbow, it feels more like a neighbourhood gathering than a night out— low-key, intimate and distinctly local.
For now, Cranked is pausing to reflect on how the pilot has been received.
“We’ll take some time to evaluate how it resonated with our community and consider how evening programming might fit into our regular offerings,” Cray said. “We do have some exciting ideas in the works for winter and beyond—so locals can definitely watch this space.”
For longtime regulars, the return of evening service marks a welcome revival of what Cranked once offered: a place to gather after hours, with good food, good drink and the kind of community spirit that makes Whistler’s smaller neighbourhoods shine.
Charcuterie night might be the first step, but it seems clear the evenings at Cranked are only just beginning. n
WINE AND DINE Cranked Espresso Bar is considering more evening programming after a successful charcuterie and wine pilot project.
PHOTO COURTESY OF CRANKED ESPRESSO BAR
MEADOW PARK SPORTS CENTRE
Sarah Winkler to partner with Whistler Contemporary
THE BRITISH LANDSCAPE PAINTER WILL DO A LOCAL MEET-AND-GREET ON AUG. 30
BY DAVID SONG
HAVE YOU EVER HEARD OF Sarah Winkler?
If you like art, hers is a good name to know.
Winkler is a contemporary landscape painter from England’s northern reaches, which are beloved for scenery across the Yorkshire Dales and Lake District. As a young girl, she learned to draw from a neighbour before racking up some frequent flyer miles in southern England, Malawi, Brunei and the United States with her family.
After studying art and Earth science at William Paterson University, Winkler eventually moved with her husband to 9,000 feet above sea level near Denver, Colo. Perched atop a mountain, her studio stands out from others of its kind. In 2005, she began exhibiting her work.
Five years later, Winkler’s big break arrived in the form of a large commission for the Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas. Her portfolio has since received international acclaim, featured as it is in more than 100 major private and corporate collections as well as in the U.S. Department of State’s Art in Embassies program.
The British expat’s painting style captures the essence of wild, scenic landscapes by marrying abstract techniques with the geological narratives Earth has to offer. She sometimes weaves crushed minerals and rocks (i.e. marble dust, mica flakes and obsidian) into her paintings. At other times she tries to emulate geological stratification by way of bold horizontals and flattened planes that reveal surface beauty and subterranean structure.
“Each layer contains a rich history of marks and gestures that incorporates distressing techniques—sanding, carving, salt
“Don’t be in a rush to develop your artistic voice in the beginning. Just get out into the world and experience your life.”
- SARAH WINKLER
resists—to evoke erosion, weathering, and the shaping forces of nature over time in a mountainous region,” Winkler says. “These textures are composed within a vivid portrayal of place. I view my paintings as enchanted landscapes—mythical, magical realms waiting for characters and stories to emerge. They carry a literary, evocative quality, rich with imagination and description.”
TECTONIC INSPIRATION
Wanderlust and creative impulse go hand in hand for Winkler.
Having travelled (either alone or with family) since early childhood, she describes her appetite to see things in person as “tectonically wide.” Having spent the last decade visiting geologically active places (the Orkney Islands, Iceland,
the Swiss Alps and Dolomites) to see mid-rift plates, active volcanoes, highaltitude mountains and glaciers, Winkler emphasizes the importance of being outdoors to any fruitful landscape artist.
“I’ve learned it’s good to specialize. To hone in on your subject,” she explains. “Live it and breathe it daily. Get to know it like an old friend. I’ve chosen to focus on the geology of mountains as my subject for the past 10 years and have only just scratched the surface of what is possible visually. I’m now observing the nuances of mountain regions globally. For example: the visual and geological differences between the Alps, the American Rockies and the Canadian Rockies.”
Heralded as a top female painter by ARTSY, Winkler is flattered by the overall response to her content. Despite her rapid rise to fame, she knows it took many years to develop her style and find a viable outlet for her career.
To younger artists, she would say: “Don’t be in a rush to develop your artistic voice in the beginning. Just get out into the world and experience your life. Pay attention to what interests you and what doesn’t. When you feel that sensation of what brings you most alive—follow it. Art comes from within. Follow your own unique life path. It will all make sense in the end. Dig deep and never quit (like I almost did).”
Winkler is excited for her maiden voyage to British Columbia and plans to stay for a few weeks to properly appreciate the Sea to Sky. In her opinion, the Whistler Contemporary Gallery (WCG) is an ideal fit to showcase her work “as they look to delight, surprise and intrigue the viewer with innovative art.”
Looking ahead, Winkler is developing a Swiss Alps collection and hopes her time in Whistler will lead to more paintings, too. Learn more about her on Aug. 30 from 4 to 6 p.m. at the Hilton, or at whistlerart.com/ show/whistler-contemporary-gallery-meetgreet-cocktail-event-with-sarah-winkler. n
UPON REFLECTION “Double Depth Peak
Reflective,” 2025. Acrylic on panel, 48 x 60” (122 x 152 cm).
PHOTO COURTESY OF SARAH WINKLER
Pemberton’s Artist Collective returns with a message of community and care
‘ART IS LIFE. LET’S CELEBRATE IT TOGETHER’
BY LUKE FAULKS Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
THE PENCIL DRAWING was of a boat. It was framed in a chipped blue frame, likely from a school art class, and set beside a $5,000 painting by a professional artist at a Pemberton art show in 2015. The child who submitted the sketch priced it at $25— because, as he reportedly said, “Why would anybody buy this?”
Someone did.
And for Nick Miragliotta, the organizer behind the Artist Collective, it meant everything.
“That encapsulates everything that I’m doing,” Miragliotta says. “I remember that still to this day. [That kid and his boat] changed my life. When I sold that, I was like, “This is gonna work; people want to be here.’”
Nearly a decade later, the Artist Collective is back. Miragliotta is organizing an event that’s equal parts art show and expression of mental-health solidarity. As such, the Collective focuses on humanity and belonging, rather than gallery gloss or market value.
“Art is life. Let’s celebrate it together,” Miragliotta wrote in one of many heartfelt posts promoting the return of the show.
“These shows are about community, confidence, and passion. I just want people to feel proud, to reconnect with their creativity, and to inspire each other to get back into something they once loved.”
His mission is rooted in a shared human truth: that many of us, once children who freely created all kinds of art, grow up to be adults who hesitate.
“I constantly ask people, ‘Do you do art, or are you an artist?’ Most of the time they say, ‘No, I’m not an artist.’ And when they do say yes, they qualify it with, ‘It’s not good enough,’ or, ‘I’m not ready yet,’” Miragliotta says. “And to me, it’s heartbreaking. And I think it’s baloney.”
Miragliotta says that, as we grow up, people start to worry their self-expression won’t measure up.
“To me, the question is more about the human condition than art,” he explains.
“Everyone’s fearful, everyone has selfdoubt, and we live in a world where all we do is consume perfection and isolate ourselves, feeding our own biases through media. If all we celebrate is perfection, that becomes the standard we compare ourselves to.”
That search for perfection, he said, is killing our creativity. And worse, it’s isolating us.
SO WHAT’S THE ANTIDOTE?
“Community is so important and hard to find, especially in a transient area,” Miragliotta says. “Community literally has been documented to help people live longer, healthier lives and we’re losing it in our lives.”
He views the Artist Collective, then, as less of an exhibit than a space—a space to unlearn shame, to show up and be seen. It’s a room where crochet blankets sit beside acrylic portraits, where childhood drawings might hang next to gallery-ready photography, and where nobody’s asking whether it’s “art” or not.
“When someone celebrates what you’re doing and gets excited with you, it makes the task of facing that inner battle easier,” Miragliotta says. “You’ll meet people who help foster your creativity as you foster theirs. You’ll learn from each other. You’ll get better. You’ll feel more comfortable expressing yourself because that’s what art is (in my opinion). Showing people who you are is scary.”
If this sounds like therapy, that’s because it nearly is.
Mental health underpins much of Miragliotta’s vision. His own experience navigating the cracks in the health-care system has led him to see community as a literal life-saving force.
“I just want to make people feel OK, to make people be aware of the issues and aware of how to find solutions to them,” he says. “I don’t even know if this is going to make money, and it’s not the goal.”
Miragliotta isn’t taking commission from artists who end up selling their pieces; instead, he’s focused on building community, fuelling self-expression and raising awareness of mental-health struggles.
“If you want to get back into something, uplift someone else. Support them. Get excited about what they’re doing. It’ll come back around,” says Miragliotta. “The fear, self-doubt, worry [and] embarrassment will get lighter when you’re supported and not carrying the load alone.”
The Artist Collective’s first show of the year is set for Oct. 25 at the Sunstone Golf Club. The show is open to submissions from artists in the Sea to Sky region. Miragliotta is also hoping to find the now-grown artist who drew that little boat that reinforced his vision 10 years back.
Prospective artists can contact Miragliotta on Facebook or reach out to Pique reporter Luke Faulks at lfaulks@piquenewsmagazine. com for contact information. n
Purpose: Thepurpose of theproposedbylaw is to allowthedevelopmentofa 110-unitworkforce housingbuildingadjacenttothe Whistler Athletes Centre alongwithnew communityservinguses: community centre,andchildcare.FortheAC3 zone,the bylawamendmentsreducetheminimum parcelsize to allowthesubdivisionofa newparcelfortheworkforce housingbuilding,addproposed newcommunityservinguses, reduce setbacks,increasepermittedheight. TheAC1 Zonewillbe modifiedtoreducetheminimumparcelsizetoallowtheproposedsubdivision,and to remove the off-streetparking requirementfor Athlete’sCentre.
SubjectLand: Thelandsthat arethesubjectoftheproposed Bylaware shownonthe mapattached to thisnotice,andlegallydescribedas:
PLANEPP1290 LOTC DISTRICT LOT8073NEWWESTMINSTERDISTRICTGROUP1;and PLANEPP1290 LOTA DISTRICT LOT8073NEWWESTMINSTERDISTRICTGROUP1
BylawReadings: Consideration of thefirst,second,andthirdreadings of theproposedBylaw willbe at theRegular CouncilMeetingonSeptember2,2025.
To learnmore: Acopyoftheproposed Bylawandbackground documentationare availablefor review from August21,2025 until September2,2025 at:
• MunicipalHall at 4325 BlackcombWay,Whistler, BC, during regularofficehours of 9:00a.m. to 4:00p.m., Monday to Friday (statutoryholidaysexcluded)
ART THERAPY The Pemberton-based art show returns Oct. 25 at the Sunstone Golf Club.
PHOTO COURTESY OF NICK MIRAGLIOTTA
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
WHISTLER FARMERS’ MARKET
AUDAIN ARTIST DINNER SERIES
Step into an evening where fine art meets fine dining. Enjoy a cocktail and exclusive after-hours tour of Gathered Leaves: Discoveries from the Drawings Vault, featuring rare masterworks from the National Gallery of Canada. Then, savour a seasonal four-course menu with wine pairings by Edge Catering, crafted to complement the evening’s refined ambiance.
> Aug. 29, 5:45 to 9 p.m.
> Audain Art Museum
SUMMER SEWING FOR GROWN-UPS
This summer, crafts aren’t just for kids! Drop by the Wonder Lab for a Sewing Workshop designed for adults. Learn essential techniques to repair and upcycle your clothing and accessories. Registration is required.
> Aug. 29, 3 to 5 p.m.
> Whistler Public Library
WHISTLER FARMERS’ MARKET
A feast for your senses, the Whistler Farmers’ Market features local produce, tasty food, local artisans, live entertainment and family activities. Markets happen every Sunday until Thanksgiving on Oct. 13, with the addition of Saturday markets on Aug. 30 and Oct. 11.
> Aug. 30 and 31, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
> Upper Village Stroll
PHOTO WALK WITH THE PROS
Whether you’re just starting out or looking to sharpen
your eye, this is your chance to practice intentional photography in a beautiful environment. Led by professional photographer and storyteller Jeremy Allen, this hands-on session will guide you through the basics of visual storytelling using a disposable film camera to capture meaningful moments. Come for the learning, stay for the après vibes.
> Aug. 30, 1 to 3:30 p.m.
> RMU Whistler
BARBED CHOIR
Do you love to sing? Do you love meeting new people? Do you like all types of rock music, new and old? Head on down to sing with Barbed Choir—Whistler’s rock choir. Meetings are drop-in, no registration or experience necessary.
> Sept. 3, 7 p.m.
> Whistler Public Library
THEA WANG LIVE AT LOST LAKE PARK
Experience the quiet magic of Lost Lake Park with rising Norwegian artist Thea Wang. Blending indie-folk, dream-pop, and poetic storytelling, Thea has earned global praise and comparisons to AURORA and Joni Mitchell. Now, she brings her intimate, acoustic sound to Whistler for a special evening under the stars. Bring a blanket, warm layers, and an open heart. Free and open to all.
> Sept. 3, 6 p.m.
> Lost Lake Park
MUSEUM MUSINGS & ASTROLOGY
The early days of bear conflicts in Whistler
BY ALLYN PRINGLE
WHENEVER THE CONSTRUCTION of Whistler Village is talked about, it is invariably mentioned that the Village was built on a dump. This is often followed by stories about the bears seen at the landfill site.
The Alta Lake District Ratepayers Association applied to lease some acres of Crown land at the base of northern Whistler Mountain in the early 1960s in order to create a central dumping location for the residents of Alta Lake. The Valleau Logging Company donated time and equipment to dig and cover the ditches and different residents helped tidy up the site on a weekly basis. This was not, however, enough to keep the local bear population out of the garbage. While the dump was relocated before Village construction began, it was still in its original location when the first Myrtle Philip School (MPS) was built in 1976, causing some concerns for parents.
In April 1976, the MPS was nearing completion and was expected to be ready for community use during the summer before classes started in September. That same month, Roger Griffin was appointed as the principal. In May, however, a letter was sent to Whistler’s council from Roberta Carson expressing concern regarding the presence of bears near the school. The council advised plans were
underway to relocate the dump as early as the end of May, but that they would monitor the situation and if bears were still frequenting the area by July further action would have to be taken, such as the creation of a fenced-in play
Free Will Astrology
ARIES (March 21-April 19): In some Buddhist mandalas, the outer circle depicts a wall of fire. It marks the boundary between the chaotic external world and the sacred space within. For seekers and devotees, it’s a symbol of the transformation they must undergo to commune with deeper truths. I think you’re ready to create or bolster your own flame wall, Aries. What is non-negotiable for your peace, your creativity, your worth? Who or what belongs in your inner circle? And what must stay outside? Be clear about the boundaries you need to be your authentic self.
TAURUS (April 20-May 20): Centuries ago, builders in Venice, Italy, drove countless wooden pilings deep into the waterlogged mud of the lagoon to create a stable base for future structures. These timber foundations were essential because the soil was too weak to support stone buildings directly. Eventually, the wood absorbed minerals from the surrounding muddy water and became exceptionally hard and durable: capable of supporting heavy buildings. Taurus, you may soon glimpse how something you’ve built your life upon—a value, a relationship, or a daily ritual—is more enduring than you imagined. Its power is in its rootedness, its long conversation with the invisible. My advice: Trust what once seemed soft but has become solid. Thank life for blessing you with its secret alchemy.
GEMINI (May 21-June 20): In Inuit myth, Sedna is the goddess who lives at the bottom of the sea and oversees all marine life. If humans harm nature or neglect spiritual truths, Sedna may stop allowing them to catch sea creatures for food, leading to starvation. Then shamans from the world above must swim down to sing her songs and comb her long black hair. If they win her favour, she restores balance. I propose that you take direction from this myth, Gemini. Some neglected beauty and wisdom in your emotional depths is asking for your attention. What part of you needs reverence, tenderness, and ceremonial care?
CANCER (June 21-July 22): In ancient Rome, the
lararium was a home altar. It wasn’t used for momentous appeals to the heavyweight deities like Jupiter, Venus, Apollo, Juno, and Mars. Instead, it was there that people performed daily rituals, seeking prosperity, protection, and health from their ancestors and minor household gods. I think now is a fine time to create your own version of a lararium, Cancerian. How could you fortify your home base to make it more nurturing and uplifting? What rituals and playful ceremonies might you do to generate everyday blessings?
LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): In Persian miniature painting, entire epics are compressed into exquisite images the size of a hand. Each creation contains worlds within worlds, myths tucked into detail. I suggest you draw inspiration from this approach, Leo. Rather than imagining your life as a grand performance, play with the theme of sacred compression. Be alert for seemingly transitory moments that carry enormous weight. Proceed on the assumption that a brief phrase or lucky accident may spark sweet changes. What might it look like to condense your full glory into small gifts that people can readily use?
VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): In Andean cosmology, the condor and the hummingbird are both sacred messengers. One soars majestically at high altitudes, a symbolic bridge between the Earth and heaven. The other moves with supple efficiency and detailed precision, an icon of resilience and high energy. Let’s make these birds your spirit creatures for the coming months. Your challenging but feasible assignment is to both see the big picture and attend skilfully to the intimate details.
LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): In the ancient Greek myth of Psyche, one of her trials is to gather golden wool from violent rams. She succeeds by waiting until the torrid heat of midday passes, and the rams are resting in the cool shade. She safely collects the wool from bushes and branches without confronting the rams directly. Let this
area for the students.
MPS was not the only building located in the dump area in 1976; the liquor store and municipal offices were also located in portable buildings near the site. Bears were so common
ROB BREZSNY
be a lesson, Libra. To succeed at your challenges, rely on strategy rather than confrontation. It’s true that what you want may feel blocked by difficult energies, like chaotic schedules, reactive people, or tangled decisions. But don’t act impulsively. Wait. Listen. Watch. Openings will happen when the noise settles and others tire themselves out. You don’t need to overpower. You just need to time your grace. Golden wool is waiting, but it can’t be taken by force.
SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): In 1911, two teams tried to become the first humans to reach the South Pole. Roald Amundsen’s group succeeded, but Robert Falcon Scott’s did not. Why? Amundsen had studied with Indigenous people who were familiar with frigid environments. He adopted their clothing choices (fur and layering), their travel techniques (dogsledding), and their measured, deliberate pacing, including lots of rest. Scott exhausted himself and his people with inconsistent bursts of intense effort and stubbornly inept British strategies. Take your cues from Amundsen, dear Scorpio. Get advice from real experts. Pace yourself; don’t sprint. Be consistent rather than melodramatic. Opt for discipline instead of heroics.
SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): A lighthouse isn’t concerned with whether ships are watching it from a distance. It simply shines forth its strong beams, no questions asked. It rotates, pulses, and moves through its cycles because that’s its natural task. Its purpose is steady illumination, not recognition. In the coming weeks, Sagittarius, I ask you and encourage you to be like a lighthouse. Be loyal to your own gleam. Do what you do best because it pleases you. The ones who need your signal will find you. You don’t have to chase them across the waves.
CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): In 1885, Sarah E. Goode became the fourth African American woman to be granted a U.S. patent. Her invention was ingenious: a folding cabinet bed that could be transformed into a roll-top desk. It appealed to people who lived in small apartments and
in the area that spring the deer crossing signs on the highway were reportedly replaced by signs reading “Watch for Bear on Road” (though these signs also reportedly went missing soon after their installation). In early May, the Whistler Question wrote about a bear on the side of the road near the school and reminded people not to stop their cars in order to watch the bear.
By June, council member John Hetherington reported for the Garbage Committee that a new location off Cheakamus Lake Road had been approved on a temporary basis and the clean-up of the old site had been put out to tender. By July, the dump site near the school was officially closed, though that didn’t stop some people or bears from continuing to use it. That month, a bear was seen “parading” up and down the porch of the liquor store, even pawing at the door in an attempt to get in, and another was said to be “in residence” at the old dump location “being fed by those who insist on placing garbage at this site.”
By the time classes started at MPS on Sept. 7, 1976, bear sightings in the area were less common and the students’ play area was not required to be fenced in. By the fall, however, the school was experiencing problems with a different animal as some people attending adult education classes in the evening were bringing their dogs to class with them. This prompted a public reminder that “no dogs or animals are allowed in the school at any time.” n
needed to save space. I believe you’re primed and ready for a similar advance in practical resourcefulness, Capricorn. You may be able to combine two seemingly unrelated needs into one brilliant solution—turning space, time, or resources into something more graceful and useful. Let your mind play with hybrid inventions and unlikely pairings.
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): I expect you will be knowledgeable and smart during the coming weeks, Aquarius. But I hope you will also be wise and savvy. I hope you will wrestle vigorously with the truth so you can express it in practical and timely ways. You must be ingenious as you figure out the precise ways to translate your intelligence into specifically right actions. So for example: You may feel compelled to be authentic in a situation where you have been reticent, or to share a vision that has been growing quietly. Don’t stay silent, but also: Don’t blurt. Articulate your reality checks with elegance and discernment. The right message delivered at the wrong moment could make a mess, whereas that same message will be a blessing if offered at the exact turning point.
PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): Liubai is a Chinese term that means “to leave blank.” In traditional ink painting, it referred to the portions of the canvas the artist chose not to fill in. Those unpainted areas were not considered empty. They carried emotional weight, inviting the eye to rest and the mind to wander. I believe your near future could benefit from this idea, Pisces. Don’t feel you have to spell everything out or tie up each thread. It may be important not to explain and reveal some things. What’s left unsaid, incomplete, or open-ended may bring you more gifts than constant effort. Let a little stillness accompany whatever you’re creating.
Homework: Sometimes it’s a chore to change yourself. But why not choose a fun change? Newsletter. FreeWillAstrology.com.
DINING AT THE DUMP While there are still conflicts, Whistler has come a long way in its bear management and has been a Bear Smart Community since 2011.
PETERSEN COLLECTION
Where locals look
CALL OR PLACE YOUR CLASSIFIED WITH OUR ONLINE SERVICE FOR EITHER PRINT OR ONLINE...OR BOTH! Get the
Î Secure & scamless
Î Fully searchable
Î Targeted online community
Î Categorised listings
Î No reposting
Î Trusted by locals
Î Make your listing stand out with featured locations
• Annual Leisure& ToolBenefit – Use toward ski/bike pass,toolpurchase,etc. – you choose! •ExtendedHealthandDentalBenefitsfor youand yourfamily
We promotefromwithinandarelookingtostrengthenouramazingteam.Opportunities for advancement intomanagementpositionsalways exist for the right candidates.Don’t missout onbeingabletobuildwiththeteamthatbuildsthemostsignificantprojectsinWhistler Send your resumetoinfo@evrfinehomes.com We lookforwardtohearingfrom you!
Î Packages start with 4 lines of text.
Î Add one image in print and up to three online as per package level.
Î Bolding ...........................................50¢/word
Î Border ..........................................................$2
*
Free ad design, colour options, incentives for ad frequency. Contact a sales rep today. Advertising
We area civilbased construction company, witha professionalandenjoyable workingenvironment workingfromPemberton to Squamish.Weare offering full-timehoursand extendedbenefits.
If youare interested to learnmoreaboutanyofthese positionspleasecall604-932-2355oremail with your Resume at info@coronaexcavations.com.
TheSLRDoffersa competitivecompensationandbenefitspackage,a compressed work week(nine-dayfortnight), hybridremote work ar rangements, andlearning and careerdevelopmentopportunities. Formoreinformationonthesecareeropportunities, pleasevisit www.slrd.bc.ca/employment.Toapply, pleasesubmit acoverletterandresume (preferablyinpdfformat) by emailto careers@slrd.bc.ca.
This role requiresanindividualwith apassion andknowledge of Whistler,experiencewriting forvariousmediachannels,andtheabilityto thinkstrategicallyandcreatively toproduce response-drivencopyacross variouschannels.
WhatWeOffer:
•A part-timeflexibleschedule(16hours per week)with ahybridapproachthat balancesbothin-officeand remote work
•Acommitmenttohealthand wellness, and afunandsupportiveteam environment
•Starting wage:$27– $29perhour
TO VIEWOURCAREEROPPORTUNITIES, AND TO APPLY, VISITUSONLINE AT WHISTLER.COM/CAREERS.
SeniorAccountant–Maternity Leave We’reHiring!
Whistler Athletes'Centre
WhistlerOlympicPark
WhistlerSlidingCentre
Whatweoffer:
•Affordablestaffhousingoptions
•Competitivewages &guaranteedhours
•Fulltime /parttime/ casual roles
APPLYN OW ! whistlersportlegacies.com/careers
WE’REHIRING
Lifeguard/SwimInstructor
Casualpositionwith a starting wageof$27.57 an hour. ProgramLeader
Casualpositionwith a starting wageof$27.57 an hour.
Skate Host - Meadow Park SportsCentre
Casualpositionwith a starting wageof$22.45anhour
JOBOPPORTUNITIES AT SSHS
HealthProgram
ClinicalServicesManager
Providesleadership of acomprehensive range ofnursing programswithin community andpublic health
CommunityHealthNurse
Providecaretoadultmembers(19+),being responsibleoffullscopenursing care to avariety ofclients, constantlypromotinghealthand wellnesseducation,andaligning careoutof community
Home &Community Care Nurse
Providecaretoadult communitymembers(19+), being responsibleforfullscopenursing care to homecareclientsandmemberswithchronic diseases,constantlypromotinghealthand wellness education,andaligning careoutof community
Child &FamilyServices
FamilyPreservationWorker
SupportsSSHSfamiliesthroughculturally sensitiveprogramsandservices,promoting children’ssafetyand qualityoflife. This role coordinatesresourcestoenhancefamilyunity, empowering familiesasprimarycaregivers
Jordans Principle
JordansPrincipleAdministrativeAssistant
Providesadministrativesupport to theJordan’s PrincipleServiceCoordinator, Service Coordination delivery,andsupportcommunity building activities asneeded.Disseminate informationtothepublicand to serviceproviders and community-basedprofessionalstopromote Jordan’sPrinciple and reduceservicebarriers for IndigenouschildreninBC.
Early ChildhoodDevelopment
ECDProgram Coordinator
TheECD Coordinatoroverseesquality programming in N’Quatqua,Skatin,and Samahquam, includingEarlyChildhood DevelopmentDrop-ins, Playgroups,andlicensed childcare. They supportchildrenaged0-6and theirfamiliesusingastrengths-basedapproach, managing programplanning,staffing,resources, recordkeeping,andreporting.
Administration
Bookkeeper
TheBookkeeperwillplayacrucial role in managing thefinancial recordsandtransactions forSSHS,ensuring precision,compliance, and overallfinancial stability. This detail-oriented individualwill be motivated to assist our accounting team in maintaining accuratefinancial recordsandhandling daily bookkeeping tasks.
ABOUTUS
SSHSis anon-profitIndigenous HealthOrganizationdedicated to improvingthehealthand wellbeingofIndigenous communities.Ourorganization providesculturallyappropriate healthcare services,programs andinitiatives to supportthe holistichealthofIndigenous individualsand families.
SSHS teammemberstravel fromourofficeinMountCurrie, BCinto thecommunities,often drivingalong aForestService Road foruptotwo hoursor beinghelicopteredin. This ensuresthatSSHSmembersfromnewborns to Eldershave access to thehealthand wellnesssupports at theirhealth stations,orhealthspace,intheir home communities.
HISTORY WAS NEVER my favourite subject in school. It was almost no one’s favourite and those who were turned on by it were, well, a bit weird.
In my case, and probably for many who grew up on the left side of the country— Canada or the U.S.—history seemed so Eastern-centric. Having been “founded” by French, English, Dutch, Spanish and Portuguese explorers, the history of North America seemed to flow from East to West, heavy emphasis on East.
BY G.D. MAXWELL
Good time to acknowledge the real history of North American settlement largely started in the West, but since the first settlers were not European and were already here when the Euros arrived, they didn’t count. Truth but no reconciliation.
People who grew up in the West tended to be bored to tears with names, dates and events that were taught as history, all of which took place in parts of the country we’d never seen except on a map. The West didn’t count. An afterthought. An appendage. An appendix, not really important until it kicks up a fuss.
Maybe that’s one reason the history of Whistler intrigues me so much.
Again, acknowledgement and apology to the first settlers of this valley and even the first Euro-American settlers who farmed, mined and developed what became the town of Alta Lake. This isn’t about you.
The “history” of Whistler began shortly
after the 1960 Winter Olympics in Squaw Valley—oops, renamed Palisades Tahoe, to, “better reflect the values and respects of the local community...”
What’s become Whistler was a pipe dream of some Vancouver businessfolk who thought hosting an Olympics would be a great thing, if only they could find an appropriate mountain setting on which to run all those snowy competitions. They discovered the mountain, London Mountain, on the east side of Alta Lake would work, a conclusion not widely shared by people in the ski biz.
Regardless, what started as a crazy idea in the early 1960s became what you see, live in and visit today. And Alta Lake became the Resort Municipality of Whistler. Half a century ago.
Until I moved to Whistler, I’d never lived in, didn’t even know there might be a town whose history was contemporary to my life. Pause a moment. You may well be, probably are, younger than me. But even if you are, Whistler’s history isn’t much older. It’s history in real time.
Meeting and sharing conversations with many of the people who created Whistler,
a rough, unpaved path crossing streams and presenting incredible winter challenges even after it was finally paved in 1966, they were true pioneers. There was almost nothing here.
Even as late as the early 1990s, many things we might think of as necessities meant a trip to Squamish or Vancouver. That’s how young this town is.
But what a success story. All the shortcomings we complain about— with the exception of overtourism—are inconsequential when you consider the very short span of time Whistler has been here.
The success, the growth, the built environment, the two amazing ski hills, the bike park, everything you see and take for granted today was the result of good planning, blind luck, strokes of genius and personal sacrifice.
While many people had a hand in the creation of Whistler, 16 of them have received the highest honour the town can offer—the Freedom of the Municipality. All 16 were crucial to the success of this town. All contributed in diverse ways. All believe there were many more who deserved the
Even as late as the early 1990s, many things we might think of as necessities meant a trip to Squamish or Vancouver.
who steered its growth, who made tough calls that turned out to be the right—if not necessarily popular—made the history of this town come alive for me. It drove me to collect as many of their stories as I could and, fortunately, I wasn’t alone in feeling that way.
Those people didn’t arrive in Conestoga wagons. But with no actual road from Squamish to Whistler until 1962, other than
recognition at least as much as they did. But only those 16 have their pictures on the wall at municipal hall.
The Freedom of the Municipality is almost completely symbolic. After all, how can you actually reward accomplishments of this magnitude? Especially when most of the recipients would tell you they were just doing their jobs or doing what needed to be done?
The tangible rewards of the honour are sparse. Nothing financial. No free parking pass. Freedom holders can vote in municipal elections regardless of where they live. If they attend council meetings, the mayor will publicly recognize their presence. That’s it. The Anglo-historical stuff about running sheep through the commons and being hung with a silken rope are particularly anachronistic in a town so young... with so few sheep!
So who were they? Some names are familiar. The first recipient, Myrtle Philip, founded the elementary school, didn’t she? Well, no. But who the heck was Chester Johnson? Trevor Roote? Pat Carleton? Why is the Godmother of Weddings a Freedom holder?
Over the next 16 weeks, the founder and former editor and publisher of Pique, Bob Barnett and I will be telling their stories. Why? Because far too often the journey of this remarkable place is lost in the fog of the present. Whistler wasn’t dropped in situ as you see it today. It was created. These 16 people—and many more—helped create it. Their efforts gave it shape and laid the groundwork for what we consider our home and culture.
More importantly, history isn’t what happened over the past 50 years. What happens today is tomorrow’s history. There is more work, more creation to come. The future holders of the Freedom of the Municipality are working among us today. In the course of time, they too will be recognized.
Time to acknowledge, among others, Pique, for committing the space each week for the rest of the year to this project. The good folks at the Whistler Museum—Brad Nichols, Allyn Pringle and Rebecca MacKay—keepers of the archives, have been extremely helpful pulling information together when our personal files were a bit thin. And many of the Freedom holders who still live among us and have generously shared their recollections. And finally, Bob Barnett, who still lets me talk him into these things. n
