Pique Newsmagazine 3242 by Pacific Coastal Publications LP

OCTOBER 17, 2025 ISSUE 32.42

WWW.PIQUENEWSMAGAZINE.COM STRONG AND

FREE

Welcome to

the

e mp ire of AmAzon s

CLEARING CONCERNS Whistler homeowner speaks out about tree-clearing

LONG LIVE THE LIBRARY Library reports double-digit growth

ACCESSIBLE ART $100 and Under Exhibition runs until Nov. 2 at The Point

Owned

locally

Operat ed

BEST Customer Service ‘20, ‘21, ‘22, ‘23 BEST Grocery Store 2023 and 2024

Feeding the Spirit of Whistler Since 1988

OPENING HOURS 7am-9pm, Daily Follow us on Facebook & Instagram for changes to our opening hours. !

Capricciosa

Handmade Artisan Pizzas

Pepperoni Margherita Sweet & Spicy

Locally Made in Vancouver BC Authentic Neapolitan Pizza Created with Passion

Garlic Fungi

ct .C. Produ

Vegan Mediterranean

SPECIALS: OCTOBER 17-23 PRODUCE

DELI

BAKERY

GROCERY

DAIRY/FROZEN

MEAT/SEAFOOD

BC GROWN

FRESH IS BEST

POST

ST HUBERT

BC WILD

AMBROSIA APPLES

STUYVER'S BAKERY

SHREDDIES

FROZEN PIES

COHO SALMON

Mild, Medium or Hot

Original or Honey

Chicken Pie or Tourtiere

Previously Frozen

SALSA

$ .25/LB

375ML

2.76/KG

PORTUGUESE OR BRIOCHE BUNS

440G

800G

3.50

/100G

8 PACK

BC PORK

BC GROWN

TRE STELLA

TRUMP'S BAKERY

QUAKER

KRAFT

GOURMET MUSHROOMS

MOZZARELLA

CHOC CHIP BANANA BREAD

CRISPY MINIS

CHEESE SINGLES

BUTT ROAST

Rice Cakes or Rice Chips

Regular or Thick Slices

Great for Pulled Pork!

Top Your Nachos, Pizza, Pasta...

170G VARIETY PK

100's of FREE underground PARKING SPOTS

340G

Careful: Habit Forming!

100G

410G

7 PIECE LOAF

CREEKSIDE VILLAGE 604.938.9301

@whistlercreeksidemarket /CreeksideMarket

6.50/LB

14.33/KG

THIS WEEK IN PIQUE

Welcome to the empire of Amazons My adventures with breast cancer. - By Glenda Bartosh

06 OPENING REMARKS With the next municipal election exactly one year away, edi-

10 CLEARING CONCERNS Another Whistler homeowner is raising concerns about

tor Braden Dupuis lays out his own (hypothetical) election platform for Whistler.

wildfire fuel-management tree-clearing in their neighbourhood.

08 LETTERS TO THE EDITOR This week’s letter-writers share thoughts on Whis-

11 LONG LIVE THE LIBRARY The Whistler Public Library continues to gain

tler’s 50th anniversary, and the potential demolition of the Whistler Racket Club.

momentum, reporting double-digit growth in visitation and programming in 2024.

24 RANGE ROVER Leslie Anthony shares a dispatch from the Ontario wilderness, where, 30 DOWNHILL DOMINATION Jackson Goldstone reflects on the run of his life after for a few months each summer, animals are less neighbours than family.

locking down the World Cup downhill overall in Mont-Sainte-Anne.

46 PIQUE’N YER INTEREST Just in time for spooky season, Vince Shuley is

34 ACCESSIBLE ART The Point Artist-Run Centre’s new $100 and Under Exhibition is

embracing the darkness (and thinking about wine in a whole new light).

now live until Nov. 2 as part of the Resort Municipality of Whistler’s 50th-anniversary celebrations.

COVER Cancer sucks. - By Jon Parris - Adobe AI // @jon.parris.art

Publisher SARAH STROTHER - sstrother@piquenewsmagazine.com Editor BRADEN DUPUIS - bdupuis@piquenewsmagazine.com Sales Manager SUSAN HUTCHINSON - shutchinson@piquenewsmagazine.com

Reporters LIZ MCDONALD - emcdonald@piquenewsmagazine.com LUKE FAULKS - lfaulks@piquenewsmagazine.com DAVID SONG - sports@piquenewsmagazine.com

Production Manager AMIR SHAHRESTANI - ashahrestani@piquenewsmagazine.com

Office Manager HEIDI RODE - hrode@wplpmedia.com

Art Director JON PARRIS - jparris@piquenewsmagazine.com

Classifieds and Reception - mail@piquenewsmagazine.com

Advertising Representatives TESSA SWEENEY - tsweeney@wplpmedia.com ANDREW BUDRESKI - abudreski@piquenewsmagazine.com

Contributors G.D. MAXWELL, GLENDA BARTOSH, LESLIE ANTHONY, ANDREW MITCHELL, ALISON TAYLOR, VINCE SHULEY, ALYSSA NOEL Founding Publishers KATHY & BOB BARNETT www.piquenewsmagazine.com

Digital/Sales Coordinator KATIE DOUGLAS - kbechtel@wplpmedia.com

#202 -1390 ALPHA LAKE RD., FUNCTION JUNCTION, WHISTLER, B.C., V8E 0H9 // PH: (604) 938-0202 FAX: (604) 938-0201

4 OCTOBER 17, 2025

Pique Newsmagazine (a publication of Lodestar Media) The entire contents of Pique Newsmagazine are copyright 2025 by Pique Newsmagazine (a publication of Lodestar Media). No portion may be reproduced in whole or in part by any means, including electronic retrieval systems, without the express written permission of the Publisher. In no event shall unsolicited material subject this publication to any claim or fees. Copyright in letters and other (unsolicited) materials submitted and accepted for publication remains with the author but the publisher and its licensees may freely reproduce them in print, electronic or other forms. Letters to the Editor must contain the author’s name, address and daytime telephone number. Maximum length is 250 words. We reserve the right to edit, condense or reject any contribution. Letters reflect the opinion of the writer and not that of Pique Newsmagazine. Pique Newsmagazine is a member of the National Newsmedia Council, which is an independent organization established to deal with acceptable journalistic practices and ethical behaviour. If you have concerns about editorial content, please contact (edit@piquenewsmagazine.com). If you are not satisfied with the response and wish to file a formal complaint, visit the web site at mediacouncil.ca or call toll-free 1-844-877-1163 for additional information. ISSN #1206-2022 Subscriptions: $76.70/yr. within Canada, $136.60/yr. courier within Canada. $605.80/yr. courier to USA. GST included. GST Reg. #R139517908. Canadian Publications Mail Product. Sales Agreement #40016549.

We acknowledge the support of the Government of Canada

OPENING REMARKS

Vote for me WITH THIS WEEK’S Pique hitting stands on Oct. 17—exactly one year out from the next municipal election in Whistler—what better time to kick off the discussion about Whistler’s next mayor and council? But before we get into it, a couple disclaimers are probably in order.

BY BRADEN DUPUIS First, it should be said I have no real intentions of ever actually running for public office. It’s a thankless job, and I sat through enough Whistler council meetings during my six years on the council beat to last me several lifetimes. And second, none of this is meant in any way as a slight against the resort’s current mayor and council. While there are things about the Resort Municipality of Whistler’s (RMOW) operations I don’t agree with, I believe our local elected representatives to be good, honest, hard-working people, who all have the community’s best interests in mind at the end of the day. As mentioned, it’s a thankless job, and no matter who fills the chairs, it is imperative that we engage with them respectfully. But if I were to run in next year’s election, here are just a few of my ideas for a (hypothetical) campaign platform. And as one more aside, I’m quite certain some of my proposed policies will be deeply unpopular with Whistler’s electorate—so an alternative title for this column might as well be “why I’ll never get elected.”

A FOCUS ON WHISTLER WORKERS ABOVE ALL ELSE

Last year, Pique wrote about a report produced by the Whistler Multicultural Society detailing the treatment of Temporary Foreign Workers in Whistler. It painted a concerning picture: unsafe and unsanitary living and working quarters; intimidation and unfair pay; and in at least one case, a CCTV camera installed in staff accommodations, so your employer can

watch you at all times. I may have missed it, but as far as I can tell, the report didn’t make much noise at the Whistler council table. It certainly didn’t result in any direct action to fix the problem. One of the persistent issues with Whistler’s local politics is the fact young people and seasonal residents are largely disenfranchised when it comes to decision-making. They can’t vote, and are typically only here for a season or two. Vote for me, and I’ll ensure my term is dedicated to improving the lives of Whistler’s workforce, any way I can. This isn’t to say our current council doesn’t care about workers. I’m sure it’s quite the opposite. But lip-service from longtime locals with established roots and permanent homes is not the same as direct representation for young workers. This is a town that would not survive without its worker bees, and (at least in my humble opinion), not enough focus is placed on improving their conditions. “It’s always been that way” is not a good excuse for worker exploitation, whether of seasonal or Temporary Foreign Workers. Whistler as a world-class destination resort would be very well-served by building a

AN IMMEDIATE EFFICIENCY REVIEW AND A WAGE FREEZE FOR ALL MANAGERS

To that point, it is unconscionable that a municipality whose economy is propped up by Temporary Foreign Workers and low-paid seasonal staff should increase its payroll by 50 per cent in five years, as the RMOW has done. And it is flat out ridiculous that we pay hundreds of thousands of dollars to consultants every year for things like disc golf improvements and the “Whistler Sessions” (essentially a $200,000 art project), employ two directors of planning for no good reason, and pay 25 people more than $150,000 while forbidding them from speaking openly about what it actually is they’re working on (more on that in the next section). Vote for me, and the first order of business will be an external efficiency review, designed to find the fat and trim it wherever possible, along with a wage-increase freeze for the town’s top earners. Some at the RMOW will argue there is no fat—every dollar is spent

wants to quit or has to feel overworked. But as some Pique readers have pointed out, their generosity (paid for with your tax dollars) has a knock-on effect in town: higher taxes for locals and businesses means higher prices for guests, higher rents, a higher cost of doing business overall. And the private sector simply can’t keep up—so businesses close, good locals leave, the food bank is overwhelmed, and Whistler is worse off overall. But at least nobody at municipal hall has to feel uncomfortable or burned out.

REAL TRANSPARENCY AT THE RMOW

For years, Pique has argued reporters should be allowed to speak openly with staffers about their work—we certainly pay them enough. And for years, the RMOW has resisted, insisting every piece of information flow (squeaky clean and thoroughly sanitized) through its big-budget communications department, and nearly every media interview is conducted by the mayor. It’s no secret why. It’s message control, pure and simple (and the RMOW isn’t the only government guilty of this). But it’s not in service of you or I, or guests to the resort—

[T]he first order of business will be an external efficiency review, designed to find the fat and trim it wherever possible, along with a wageincrease freeze for the town’s top earners.

reputation of being the most worker-friendly town in Canada. Maybe if it wasn’t so difficult for people to survive here, local employers wouldn’t have to rely on the TFW program in the first place. How do we do it? Strike a Whistler workforce committee (the RMOW loves committees!); clamp down on greedy, exploitative landlords; explore some form of rent control (seriously—$2,000-plus for a room is shameful); establish a fund with the sole purpose of feeding and subsidizing rent for our local workers. Yes, some will cry socialism—but why Bright fully equipped studio unit just steps from the Whistler Creekside Gondola and shops. This turn-key unit features a full kitchen, private balcony, and great natural light. Zoned for unlimited personal use with the option for nightly or long-term rentals, including Airbnb. Includes secure bike and ski storage. Call today for more info!.

Asking - $540,000 211-2109 Whistler Road

6 OCTOBER 17, 2025

should it fall to the good folks at the Whistler Community Services Society to feed the town through the Whistler Food Bank?

appropriately and every initiative necessary. Through the lens of Whistler Exceptionalism, that may be true. But not everything needs to be perfect, or exemplary. Not every project needs to go through three consultants before it’s suitable for public consumption. Sometimes good enough is good enough. And speaking of budgetary fat, why are municipal staffers who make six figures or close to it helping the mayor produce a podcast? Why is the RMOW inserting itself into the media landscape at all? It’s great that the RMOW can afford to pay such fantastic wages so nobody ever

only the RMOW itself. Vote for me, and I’ll not only allow, but encourage all RMOW employees to speak openly and honestly amongst themselves and with the media. Something not working the way it should? Somebody make an expensive error? Did your manager shout you down in front of your coworkers? Talk about it! Blow the whistle. Yes, it will be messy. It will create many problems for the RMOW. You know what else it will create? Proper accountability, true budgetary efficiency, and real trust in the electorate. n

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

The ones who made the 50th possible

and council would insist on its immediate replacement? The same principle should apply to the Racket Club. Jim Pipe // Whistler

This letter was sent to the Resort Municipality of Whistler, and shared with Pique.

The Valley Trail is getting busier and busier. Albeit in a good way. More bicycles means less cars. I’d like to think we’ve hit a critical mass between people who don’t know how to share and those who don’t like to be scowled at, honked at or even flipped the bird. Either for taking up the whole trail on their group chats or passing blindly on sharp corners while a family of strollers rolls by. The upgraded trail between Alpha Lake Park and Highway 99 is so dreamy to ride on. The wider trail gives more room for pedestrians and the “slow zone” signs all over town seem to have made a difference. Unfortunately I’ve still had some close calls. They’ve all been very predictable and highly avoidable. Blind corners are never given the respect they would be given on a highway. Why not paint the yellow lines with dotted lines for passing zones? A white line for a shoulder? Or simply a few well-placed no passing signs? Until then, I will continue to ring my stupid bell for what many think is no reason. Please don't be alarmed. Be aware, we all need to share! Jon Parris // Whistler n

Thank you for the ugrades

As the fifth employee of the Resort Municipality of Whistler (RMOW) hired in March of 1977 to be the secretary of the first employee, building inspector Jim Murray, I want to take the opportunity to thank you all for the memorable brunch hosted on Sunday, Sept. 28 (at the recreation/conference centre no less) for RMOW staff and council members past and present! It was an amazing act of appreciation to those of us who were/are on the front lines of such an incredible place. The seed for this event was an email from the second employee of the municipality Geoff Pearce, clerk/treasurer, who was in attendance from Vancouver Island and I think we made his day! It was truly incredible to reunite with so many people who made this place happen. The next event later in the day was the “Talk with the Mayors” presented by the Whistler Museum. It was wonderful to learn from these amazing individuals what it was really like to get where we are today. It was, in Cathy Jewett’s words, “inspirational.” The Museum does essential work... we must

“It was truly incredible to reunite with so many people...” - L. K. SHOUP

remember and document our past. Thanks to all for remembering that the 50th is an incredible milestone for those who were there. Here’s to many more. L. K. Shoup // Whistler

More on the Whistler Racket Club Beedie Living is proposing a rezoning that would tear down the very popular and wellused Whistler Racket Club. If this were employee housing that Beedie was proposing to demolish, is there any question the mayor

LISA & BIRTE’S FEATURED FALL LISTINGS

204 Tyndall Stone Lodge Week 6 Condo | Whistler Village 2 bed / 2 bath / 798 sq ft $27,500

208 Snowbird (use 1) 1/10th ownership Townhome | Blackcomb Benchlands 2 bed / 2 bath / 1,455 sq ft $115,000

5395 Opal Place Single Family Home | Richmond 5 bed / 2.5 bath / 2,952 sq ft $1,848,800

4I Seasons 1/12th share Townhome | Bayshores 3 bed / 2 bath / 1,195 sq ft $35,000

661 Westin Phase 2 Condo | Whistler Village 1 bed / 1 bath / 506 sq ft $659,000

8 Basalt Living Duplex | Cheakamus 3.5 bed / 3.5 bath / 2,195 sq ft $2,598,000

Lisa Ashcroft 604-905-8912

lashcroft@sutton.com

8 OCTOBER 17, 2025

Birte Jaschkowitz 604-907-0244

birte@brealtywhistler.com

Nick Davies, Whistler local and experienced family lawyer practising across BC and Yukon. Call at 604-602-9000 or visit www.macleanlaw.ca Maclean Law is headquartered in Vancouver with ofﬁces across British Columbia.

8609 Forest Ridge Drive Beautiful 5 bedroom home in Alpine Meadows on a 14,400 sq. ft. lot. Fabulous mountain views!

Mountain Psychology and Neurofeedback Centre

Stephen L. Milstein, Ph.D., R. Psych. BC #765 - 604.938.3511 Dawna Dixx Milstein, OT. COTBC # AA0201 - 604.938.3523

$3,400,000 WH IS TLER’S #1 RE/MAX AGENT

Squamish: 604.848.9273 Whistler: #107 - 4368 Main St, Whistler, B.C. V0N 1B4

Serving sea to sky for 18 years

FAALL FA ALL SIGHTSEEING SIGHTSEEING Thhe ONLY way up Blackcomb Mountain

Save 15% 604 938 1616

BOOK K ONLINE & USE CODE ‘FALL15’ FALL15

CANADIANWILDERNESS.COM OCTOBER 17, 2025

NEWS WHISTLER

Property owner raises concerns over tree-clearing in Emerald Estates wildfire project ALEX WOODYER SHERRON SAYS THE MUNICIPALITY’S FUEL-MANAGEMENT WORK WENT TOO FAR, REMOVING HEALTHY TREES AND EXPOSING HOMES TO HIGHWAY NOISE; RMOW MAINTAINS THE PROJECT IS VITAL FOR PUBLIC SAFETY

BY LIZ MCDONALD RESIDENTS IN WHISTLER’S Emerald Estates neighbourhood are raising concerns over what they describe as “extensive and unnecessary tree-clearing” along Highway 99 as part of the Resort Municipality of Whistler’s (RMOW) wildfire mitigation efforts. Alex Woodyer Sherron, who has owned a property on Summer Lane for nine years, said her once-quiet neighbourhood—buffered from the highway by a dense stand of trees— has changed dramatically since wildfire fuel-management work began this fall. “What they’ve done is they’ve taken down huge trees that were alive and healthy,” she said. “They’ve exposed the community now, straight onto the highway. There’s no buffer for children or safety concerns.” Woodyer Sherron said she supports wildfire prevention efforts in principle, but believes this project went “above and beyond” what was necessary. Her concerns include increased noise from the highway, decreased property values, safety issues for children, and greater risk to wildlife crossing the road. “It’s astonishing to me that Whistler, in

TREE FALLING The fuel-mitigated green buffer between Summer Lane and Highway 99. PHOTO COURTESY OF ALEX WOODYER SHERRON

10 OCTOBER 17, 2025

a community that’s built on environmental values, could allow such large-scale clearing without consultation or an environmental assessment,” she said.

RMOW SAYS WORK IS CRITICAL FOR WILDFIRE SAFETY

According to municipal staff, the clearing is part of the Highway 99 Fuel Management

will be, cut as part of the work. The focus is on removing small trees and dense underbrush that could fuel high-intensity wildfires. The thinning opens the canopy and reduces the chance of fire spreading from tree to tree while maintaining larger deciduous trees and “high-value wildlife trees” where possible. Municipal staff added the immediate visual and noise impacts “will lessen over time” as native shrubs and deciduous trees repopulate the area, restoring a lower-risk vegetative buffer.

“They’ve exposed the community now, straight onto the highway. There’s no buffer for children or safety concerns.” - ALEX WOODYER SHERRON

Program, a federally funded, multi-year initiative guided by the RMOW’s Community Wildfire Resiliency Plan. The goal, staff said, is to reduce wildfire fuels along Whistler’s primary evacuation corridor and ensure Highway 99 remains accessible for both evacuees and emergency responders in the event of a fire. This fall’s work focuses on Emerald Estates and is expected to wrap up in late November, with further sections extending toward Function Junction scheduled for next year. Staff noted no mature trees have been, or

CONSULTATION AND COMMUNICATION QUESTIONED

Residents, however, say they were unaware of the scale of the work until the chainsaws arrived. Woodyer Sherron believes the RMOW should have done more to notify and consult the community beforehand. The municipality said residents were first informed last year when the project was initially planned, though it was postponed due to permitting delays. Letters were mailed to affected households several weeks before work

began this fall, with additional information shared via posters, the RMOW website, social media, and its Whistler This Week newsletter. The project is being managed by Frontera Forest Solutions, with Lil’wat Forestry Ventures and Alpine Axeceleration carrying out the treatment work. Environmental considerations were factored into the planning stage, according to staff, who said a registered forester inventoried the area to balance wildfire risk reduction with preserving the natural buffer where possible.

CALL FOR RESTORATION AND REVIEW

While the work is ongoing, Woodyer Sherron said she wants to see the municipality take steps to restore the green belt. “I want them to be replanting trees to restore the natural buffer, installing some kind of sound or safety barrier along the highway—because right now, kids can just walk straight out onto the road,” she said. “And the big thing for me, coming from the mining industry, is establishing proper consultation and environmental review processes before any future works like this. This isn’t just cutting a few dead branches like they alluded to. It’s a whole other level.” The RMOW said at select locations, small vegetation buffers will be retained where possible to help mitigate traffic exposure. Staff also encouraged residents to book a free FireSmart assessment to further reduce wildfire risk on their own properties. n

NEWS WHISTLER

WHISTLER | SQUAMISH | NORTH SHORE | VANCOUVER | OKANAGAN

FOR SALE

1545 TYNEBRIDGE COURT, SPRING CREEK

4.5

SQFT: 3,511

$4,799,000

• Bright south west views on a 20,000 sqft+ lot

BOOK IT In 2024, the Whistler Public Library welcomed more than 173,000 visitors and saw nearly 20,000 program

• Vaulted ceilings and expansive windows

participants.

• Designed with seamless ﬂow and timeless elegance • Every detail thoughtfully appointed

FILE PHOTO BY BRADEN DUPUIS

Whistler Public Library reports record growth and outlines upgrades amid rising demand LIBRARY STAFF HIGHLIGHT SURGING VISITATION, NEW ACCESSIBILITY AND DESIGN UPGRADES, AND CONTINUED CALLS FOR EXPANDED FUNDING AND HOURS

BY LIZ MCDONALD THE WHISTLER PUBLIC LIBRARY (WPL) says it continues to gain momentum, reporting double-digit growth in visitation and programming in 2024 and unveiling planned facility upgrades, a new strategic indicators framework and a community-driven facilities review to guide future expansion. In an Oct. 7 presentation to Whistler council, library director Mikale Fenton and board chair Serene Bourdages described the library as a vital community hub—“Whistler’s living room”—and urged continued support amid growing demand. “We’d like to begin tonight with the why,” Bourdages told council. “Why libraries, when our community is grappling with challenges like affordable housing, the drug crisis, climate pressures? It’s understandable that libraries aren’t always top of mind. Yet libraries remain one of the most essential and efficient public services we have—one building, one team serving every demographic, every single day. “Thanks to sustained investment from this municipality and the community, Whistler Public Library has become one of the busiest, most highly ranked libraries in B.C. and in Canada. We’re proud to be Whistler’s living room—a place that’s free, welcoming and inspirational for all.” Bourdages added that success didn’t happen by chance. “It requires the belief that libraries matter,” she said.

2024 BY THE NUMBERS

Fenton followed with highlights from WPL’s 2024 report. She said both in-person visitation

and program attendance rose 11 per cent. The library welcomed more than 173,000 visitors and saw nearly 20,000 participants in programs—strong numbers for a community of Whistler’s size. Staff answered more than 45,000 reference questions at service desks, a 24-per-cent increase from the prior year. Patrons borrowed more than 4,500 “unusual items” from the library’s collection. The newly launched small meeting rooms—introduced in 2024—were booked more than 1,200 times in just seven months. “These figures really speak to the demand in the community,” Fenton said. She encouraged the public to explore the full report on the library’s website. Beyond usage metrics, WPL has developed a strategic indicators framework for 2025 and begun collecting feedback via community surveys to help pair stories to statistics. “A ‘Book a Librarian’ session won’t have the same ‘wow’ factor in stats as, say, story time or a mayor’s panel,” Fenton said. “But for the person sitting across from our staff, that one-to-one time could mean the difference between filing taxes or accessing financial resources they deeply need—or simply having someone to talk to and reduce social isolation.” Projects underway include upgrades to audiovisual systems, growth of the unusual items collection, installation of a soundproof pod, expanded community partnerships and an accessibility audit. “Taken together, we’re not only maintaining momentum, but actively building the capacity for our team to serve a growing and increasingly complex community,” Fenton said. To gather public perspectives, WPL launched a strategic progress community

SEE PAGE 12 >>

JOSH CRANE 604 902 6106

josh@joshcrane.ca • whistlerrealestatemarket.com FOR SALE

309-4360 LORIMER ROAD (MARKETPLACE LODGE)

1.5

SQFT: 649

$1,199,000

• Located in the heart of Whistler Village • Meticulously renovated • Zoned for nightly rentals • Being oﬀered turn key

JOSH CRANE 604 902 6106

josh@joshcrane.ca • whistlerrealestatemarket.com FOR SALE

#KP2 1400 ALTA LAKE ROAD, WHISTLER

SQFT: 709

$699,000

• Adventure lies outside your door on shores of Alpha Lake • Sunken living room with large wood-burning ﬁreplace • Bright, south-facing penthouse condo • 5-minute drive to Creekside gondola

LINDSAY MCIVOR 604 612 1484

lindsay@lindsaymcivorrealestate.com We would like to acknowledge that we work and live on the traditional territory of the Sylix Okanagan, xwməθkwəýəm, səlilwətaɬ, Lil’wat and Sḵwxwú7mesh People. This publication is not intended to cause or induce a breach of an existing agency relationship. *Personal Real Estate Corporation

OCTOBER 17, 2025

NEWS WHISTLER << FROM PAGE 11 survey between April and May. The survey, administered via Engage Whistler, in-library and at outreach events, collected input from 158 contributors representing a cross-section of the community in terms of age, gender, language and lived experience. About 80 per cent of respondents were full-time Whistler residents, with the balance from part-time or seasonal households and nearby communities including the Lil’wat Nation. Survey results showed high levels of engagement: 82 per cent of respondents said they visit the library at least once a month, and one in three visit multiple times a week; only two per cent said they don’t use the library in person. Feedback was overwhelmingly positive: 99 per cent of respondents found the library welcoming and inclusive, 93 per cent would recommend the library to others, and 90 per cent said the library helps them to learn and feel more connected. Fenton noted open comments yielded opportunities for improvement, including requests for longer hours, more quiet study space and enhanced accessibility. “In short, the survey reinforced the library as Whistler’s living room—welcoming, inspiring and essential—while also giving us clear direction on how to keep growing to meet our community’s needs,” she said.

FUTURE SPACE NEEDS

The library also conducted a new space needs assessment. Though the current

building incorporated forward-thinking design, staff are aiming to modernize user experience and improve staff working conditions. Fenton explained the last assessment was conducted in 2017—before the principles of universal design were more widely embraced and before the pandemic reshaped how people gather, work and use public space. The current assessment leverages the earlier evaluation plus the community survey results, staff interviews and questionnaires, a site tour and findings from a Spark BC built environment audit. Preliminary findings point to several clear next steps: make significant acoustic improvements throughout the facility, especially given the building’s high ceilings and lack of sound absorption. One of the most common customer complaints is the difficulty of using the space flexibly for staff and community needs. Plans include creating a bookable multipurpose space that can adapt to different user groups at different times, updating the children’s area with sensoryfriendly features, improving storage and display solutions so lesser-known resources (like the unusual items collection) are more visible, and enhancing seating options to better support a growing community. As Whistler’s council moves into the 2026 budgeting cycle, Fenton said the library will be proposing phased projects tied to this facility work. Wherever possible, they will seek grants and private fundraising to reduce taxpayer burden. One frequent request from patrons is longer operating hours. In response, the

library used provincial grant funding to extend Sunday hours by two during peak travel periods, and last year added enhanced access during student finals week. Before the COVID-19 pandemic, the library was open 58 hours weekly; upon re-opening, hours were cut to 54 to maintain staff consistency amid uncertainty. The move to 56 hours is a step forward, but WPL continues to explore additional expansion in 2026 while balancing operational costs.

“Whistler Public Library has become one of the busiest, most highly ranked libraries in B.C. and in Canada.” - SERENE BOURDAGES

COUNCIL QUESTIONS

During questioning from council, Councillor Arthur De Jong asked whether the library had exceeded capacity, noting finding a seat can be a challenge. Fenton said some days are indeed busy, and competition for computers and seating does reflect strain. Coun. Ralph Forsyth inquired whether the enhanced Sunday hours have increased

We need YOUR Help!

Can YOU help us raise $100,000 to support our mental health services? DID YOU In 2024 our Outreach team had 10,000 visits! KNOW?

Want to help? Imogen@mywcss.org 12 OCTOBER 17, 2025

visitation. Fenton responded that, as of September, Sunday visitation during the added hours has increased 43 per cent. When asked whether that gain was across all Sunday hours or within the extension window, she clarified it was within the added two hours. In fact, 25 per cent of Sunday visits now occur during those extra hours—a shift some speculate may be tied to southbound highway waits or post-mountain-closure programming, though further data is needed to confirm. Coun. Jessie Morden sought insight into whether the library is seeing social strain, referencing recent reports from other library systems about incidents such as drug use and deaths. She cited a presentation by B.C. library directors calling for enhanced annual operations funding at the Union of British Columbia Municipalities (UBCM) convention. In response, Fenton said Whistler is a “unique community,” and that while it does face pressures related to affordability, homelessness and the toxic drug crisis, its experience is “perhaps at a less amplified level” than in some other jurisdictions. She reaffirmed that the library strives to be a safe space for everyone, and that staff are ready to confront challenges tied to growing social inequity. Library leaders in British Columbia are actively advocating for increased stable funding. A 2025 report from the B.C. Select Standing Committee on Finance recommends boosting the province’s core annual library grant—currently frozen for years—to better support capital, staffing and technology needs. n

Help us provide important mental health services, like counselling, programs for grief, parenting, injury, concussion, and MORE!

DONATE

NEWS WHISTLER

CLUB CONCERNS Attendees at an open house held by Beedie Living about 4500 Northlands Sept. 15. PHOTO BY LIZ MCDONALD

Developer-commissioned Northlands study touts economic boost BEEDIE’S $512M DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS 2,390 JOBS AND $585M IN OUTPUT, BUT PUBLIC OPINION ON THE PROJECT REMAINS MIXED

BY LIZ MCDONALD A NEW ECONOMIC study from Beedie Living provided to Pique estimates its proposed $512-million redevelopment of 4500 Northlands Boulevard could inject hundreds of jobs and millions of dollars into Whistler’s economy, but the community remains divided over what those benefits should fund. The Northlands Economic Impact Study, prepared by MMK Consulting and dated Sept. 22, 2025, forecasts the project could generate $585 million in total output across B.C., $309 million in GDP, and 2,390 person-years of employment during design and construction. The six- to eight-year buildout— comprising 288 residential units, 8,000 square feet of restaurant space, and new public amenities—would also deliver $54.5 million in payments to the Resort Municipality of Whistler (RMOW), including $47 million in Community Amenity Contributions (CACs).

WHAT’S IN THE CAC

The proposed CAC package represents roughly 11 per cent of total project costs, and is framed as Beedie’s contribution to help offset the impacts of development and enhance community infrastructure. According to the study, that $47-million figure would be split among several key priorities, including: Employee housing—up to 70 new units, supported by a $14.4-million developer contribution toward a $36.5-million municipal project, creating an estimated 204 person-years of employment during construction and generating $1.5 million in annual value once operational; childcare facilities—28 new spaces valued at $1.7 million, expected to create 11 person-years of employment and $840,000 in annual community benefit; recreation facilities—a proposed $10-million allocation; transit and infrastructure upgrades, and public-realm improvements to support mobility and livability around the site. In total, the report estimates CAC-enabled construction could generate 352 personyears of employment and $53.4 million in construction activity, followed by $3.9 million in annual community benefits once projects are complete.

14 OCTOBER 17, 2025

A DEBATE OVER PRIORITIES

For many residents, that funding has become the defining issue of the rezoning process. Some see it as an opportunity to tackle housing and childcare shortages; others say it should first replace the existing Whistler Racket Club (WRC), an amenity that would be demolished to make way for the project. “The discussion of allocation of the CAC should be a discussion about the best way to deliver a win-win-win for the Whistler community,” wrote Ben Thomas, an advocate for the WRC, who urged council to ensure funds prioritize “replacing the well-used and well-loved existing onsite amenity (WRC) with a modern, multi-use facility that secures indoor recreation, childcare, and social programming for generations to come.” Physician Dr. Arjuna Veeravagu echoed that argument, calling a new indoor racket and recreation facility “the top priority for utilization of the Beedie CAC.” Veeravagu warned Whistler faces “an extreme shortage of indoor recreation.” Others have viewed the project positively. The Montebello I Strata Council, whose homes border the site, expressed support for the project, noting they “appreciate that the proposed development maintains a primarily residential character and will enhance the fabric of the surrounding neighbourhood,” and confidence in council’s ability to allocate CAC funds “to the expertise of the municipality.” Conversely, Montebello II Strata questioned how the proposed development aligns with Whistler’s vision of “a community that thrives, nature is protected and guests are inspired,” noting that higher density benefits both developers and the RMOW through tax revenue. They urged public debate on whether the municipality can afford to reject those funds, which CACs matter most, and how it would manage potential default should the project fail to fully materialize. Beedie’s consultants argue the development will leave the municipality financially stronger, citing projected annual municipal revenues of $2.3 million and hundreds of new jobs. But the debate over how the CAC should be spent—whether on housing, childcare, or a new recreation hub—has become the central theme to most conversation about the project. Council is currently engaging in enhanced public consultation during the proposed rezoning process. An Add Your Voice event was held Oct. 2, and a survey is available online until Oct. 31 at engage.whistler. ca/4500northlands. n

AN OPEN LETTER TO PRIME MINISTER CARNEY FROM CANADIAN ATHLETES FROM COAST TO COAST TO COAST. Dear Prime Minister Carney, Congratulations on your election and we applaud your drive and determination to move swiftly to fast track solutions to some of the most pressing issues facing our country. As professional athletes, we understand the commitment, hard work and focus needed to achieve ambitious goals. There are complex and important issues to tackle including affordability, housing, the economy, health care and sovereignty. As you prioritize Nation Building Projects to address these challenges, we ask that you consider an issue deeply important to us: protecting our planet. We are witnessing the impacts of climate change first-hand in our training and events including impacts that jeopardize our ability to safely compete nationally and internationally. From Olympics to World Cups to National Championships, extreme heat, retreating glaciers, reduced snowpack and poor air quality are threatening and have destroyed venues we rely on and need. When it comes to climate change, time isn’t on our side. The solutions exist and we have to act now and together - as a team. We are all part of team Canada. Therefore, we ask you and all members of Parliament to move swiftly to strengthen commitments to meeting Canada’s climate targets. We know climate change has impacts more profound than our ability to compete and represent our country. But it’s the love of sport and country that motivates us to be involved in the conversation to protect the future of sport as well as the places and experiences we love. Sincerely,

77 Canadian Athletes from Coast to Coast to Coast

Adam Campbell – Ski Mountaineering / Trail Running / Climbing – 6-time Canadian Champion-World Champion Medalist, Alannah Yip – Sport Climbing – Tokyo 2020 Olympics, Alex Beaulieu-Marchand – Ski Slopestyle – Peyongchang 2018 Winter Olympic Medalist – 5x X-Games Medalist, Alexandra Montminy – Aerial Skiing – World Cup, Alexi Godbout – Professional Skiing Athlete, Amelia Smart – Alpine Skiing – 2022 Winter Olympics, Andreane Lanthier Nadeau – Enduro Mountain Biking – World Championships 2025, Anne-Marie Lefrançois – Alpine Skiing – Salt Lake City 2002 Olympics, Anna Segal – Ski Slopestyle – 2014 Winter Olympics & X-Games / World Cup Medalist, Ashleigh McIvor – Ski Cross – Vancouver 2010 Olympics – Gold Medalist, Audrey McManiman – Snowboard Cross – Beijing 2022 Olympics – Winter Youth Olympic Gold Medalist, Ben Poechman – Professional Snowboard Athlete, Cameron Spalding – Freestyle Snowboard – 2025 World Cup Crystal Globe Winner, Celeste Pomerantz – Backcountry Skiing / Mountain Biking – Multi-discipline athlete, Charlie Fontaine – Freestyle Skiing Aerial – World Championship Engadin 2025, Chris Rubens – Pioneer Freeski Athlete, Cindy Ouellet – Wheelchair Basketball / Nordic Skiing – Paris 2024 – 6x Paralympian – World Championship 1st place 2014, Cole Carey – Mogul Skiing – Canada Winter Games Medalist 2023, David Carrier-Porcheron – Professional Snowboard Athlete – Natural Selection Competitor, Devon Clarke – Cycling – 2x Canadian National Gravel Champion, Émile Nadeau – Aerial Skiing – Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics, Elladj Balde – Figure Skating – 2014 ISU World Figure Skating Championships, Elliot Jamieson – Enduro Mountain Bike – 2025 Canadian National Champion, Elly Hoskin – Enduro Mountain Biking – 2025 World Champion & Canadian National Champion, Erin Latimer – Alpine Skiing – 2014 & 2018 Paralympics Medalist, Florence Laroche – Freestyle Skiing (Moguls) – World Cup 2025 Val St-Côme – NorAm Tour 3rd Place, Gabriel Dion – Freestyle Skiing (Aerials) – World Cup Lac-Beauport 2024, Greg Hill -Ski Mountaineering – World Championships 2004, 2006; North American Championships 2003, 2004, Hannah Turkington – Snowboard Cross – 2024 Youth Olympic Games, Ian McIntosh – Skiing – Freeride World Tour Competitor, Izzy Lynch – Professional Skiing Athlete, Jeff Bean – Freestyle Skiing – Olympic Games, Jenny Casson – Rowing – Paris 2024 & Tokyo 2021, Jesse Melamed – Cycling – World Championships Switzerland 2025 – 2× World Cup Overall Champion, Jessica Linton – Freestyle Skiing – World Championships 2025, Julia Murray – Ski Cross – Vancouver 2010 Olympics, Jules Burnotte – Biathlon – Beijing 2022 Olympics, Jean-Christophe Bougie – Mogul Skiing – Junior Worlds Championship 2024, Jonasina Clegg – Freestyle Mogul Skiing – Val St-Côme World Cup, Justin Lamoureux – Snowboard Halfpipe – 2006 & 2010 Winter Olympics, Karsten Madsen – Mountain Bike / Triathlon – ITU Triathlon World Championships, Katie Vincent – Canoe-Kayak Sprint – Olympics 2020 & 2024 – Olympic & World Champion, Kate Ediger – Snowboarding – Big Mountain Free Ride – CSGA Snowboard Guide, Kelly VanderBeek – Alpine Skiing – Olympics 2006 – World Cup Medallist, Kelsey Serwa – Ski Cross – Olympic Gold & Silver Medalist, 2× X Games Champion, Kim Lamarre – Slopestyle Skiing – 2014 & 2018 Olympics -Bronze Medalist, Laurianne Desmarais-Gilbert – Moguls Skiing – 2025 World Championships, Leah Evans – Professional Skiing Athlete, Lucia Stafford – Track and Field – 2020 & 2024 Olympic Games – 2025 NACAC Bronze Medalist, Maghalie Rochette – Cycling-World Cup Champion, Marie-France Roy – Snowboarding – X Games, Marion Thénault – Freestyle Skiing (Aerials) – Beijing 2022 Olympics – Olympic Bronze Medalist, Melissa Humana-Paredes– Beach Volleyball – Tokyo 2021 & Paris 2024 – Olympic Silver Medalist / World Champion, Maya Mikkelsen – Freestyle Mogul Skiing – World Cup, Mercedes Nicoll – Snowboard Halfpipe – 4x Winter Olympian (2006–2018), Mike Douglas – Godfather of Freeskiing – Canadian Skiing Hall of Fame, Natalie Allport – Snowboarding – Freeride World Tour / FIS World Cup – 2025 Freeride Champion of the Americas, Natalie Segal – Freeride Skiing – Freeride World Tour 2013, Oliver Scholfield – Field Hockey – Tokyo 2020 Olympics, Philippe Marquis – Freestyle Skiing (Moguls) – Sochi 2014 & PyeongChang 2018 – World Cup Gold Medalist – World Championships Silver Medalist, Remi Bélanger – Aerial Skiing – World Championship, Robin Vangyn – Backcountry Snowboarding – Natural Selection 2023 Competitor, Rosalie Gagnon – Freestyle Skiing – World Cup, Sandy Ward – Snowboarding / Mountain Biking Athlete – Indigenous Advocate, Sean Miskiman – Slopestyle Snowboarding – Junior World Championship / World Cup Tour, Sophia Jensen– Canoe / Kayak – Olympics – 10× World Champion, Spencer O’Brien – Snowboarding – 2014 & 2018 Winter Olympics – 2× World Champion, X Games Gold Medalist, NST Champion, Stan Rey – Freeride Skiing – 2012 X-Games – Canadian National Champion, Sydney Payne – Rowing – Tokyo 2020 & Paris 2024 – Olympic Medalist, Taylor Godber – Backcountry Snowboarding Professional Athlete, Thomas Grandi – Alpine Skiing – 1994, 1998, 2002, 2004 Olympics – World Cup Winner, Tim Emmett – Climbing – Multiple First Ascents – Ice Climbing Pioneer, Vaea Verbeeck – Mountain Biking – Red Bull Hardline – 3x Crankworx Champion, Victor Primeau – Freestyle Skiing – World Championships 2025 – 2022 World Junior Champion, Wei Tien Laviolette Ho – Freeride Skiing & Enduro Mountain Biking – FWT & Enduro World Cup – Dual-Sport Elite Athlete, Will Gadd – Ice Climbing – Four-time Canadian National Sport Climbing Champion, Ice World Cup Winner, Canadian and US Nationals Paragliding Champion, Yuki Tsubota – Ski Slopestyle – 2014 & 2018 Winter Olympics

SUPPORT THESE ATHLETES WITH YOUR VOICE AND JOIN PROTECT OUR WINTERS CANADA.

NEWS WHISTLER

Get the garage of your dreams! An oversized garage and a carport big enough for your mud chariots.

And for the rest of the family?

We’re throwing in a 3-bedroom, 2-bath net-zero home with central heating and cooling.

Whistler Waldorf named official Duke of Edinburgh’s Award centre PROGRAM HELPS YOUTH BUILD LEADERSHIP AND REAL-WORLD SKILLS THROUGH SERVICE, FITNESS AND ADVENTURE

BY LUKE FAULKS Local Journalism Initiative Reporter WHISTLER WALDORF SCHOOL (WWS)

All yours starting at $789,000 Think of the possibilities: bikes, sleds, tools, gear, and even a place to park your car! Scan to learn more

innovationbuilding.com/thealders/ © 2025 Innovation Building Group. All rights reserved. This website is for general marketing purposes only and does not form part of a contract. This is not an offering for sale. Illustrations and ﬂoor plans are artist’s impressions. The developer may change designs, features, speciﬁcations, and pricing without notice.

ONLY IN ...

The Attic

AB OV E 21 ST EP S

Buy FALL SPECIALS

3 43 Course Dinner

for

FULL PORTION SIZES Choices from entire menu

16 OCTOBER 17, 2025

Appetizers

Get

Free

On now!

Sunday to Friday *excluding long weekend Sundays

604.966.2121 ww w.21st eps.c a

has officially become a certified Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Centre, joining an international network of schools and organizations helping young people challenge themselves through community service and outdoor adventure. The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award— colloquially known as “Duke of Ed”—is designed for youth ages 14 to 24 who complete progressive bronze, silver and gold levels by setting goals in four core areas: physical recreation, skill development, community service, and an adventurous journey. The Duke of Ed Award has grown to operate in more than 130 countries since its introduction in 1956. “We’re thrilled to have 16 students already pursuing awards this year— volunteering, taking on outdoor adventures, building physical health and developing new skills,” said Susie Moore, WWS’ Duke of Ed leader. “It aligns perfectly with Waldorf’s hands-on philosophy and helps students grow as individuals while contributing to their communities.” WWS’ director of advancement Jen Dodds said parents have also been overwhelmingly positive. “It’s giving students a reason to participate in service; it’s that little push,” she said. “They’re proud of their contributions, and they’re learning skills that will serve them for life.”

‘IT’S TEACHING ME PATIENCE’

Students enrolled in the new in-school Duke of Ed club told Pique the program has given structure and motivation to the extracurricular passions they already pursue, and is helping them develop time-management and goalsetting skills. Harriet, a participant working toward her bronze level, volunteers weekly at the local food bank and coaches rugby. “I’ve been playing cello for five years, and now I’m focusing on developing that skill for my award,” she said. Recovering from a knee injury, she’s also logging physical hours through rehabilitation work. “It’s taking its time, but it’s teaching me patience,” she added. Marcia, who coaches the school’s Lower School volleyball team and is working on a novel draft, said the structure has helped her follow through on her goals. “Usually, I love starting things but never finish them,” she said. “With this, I can’t back out; it’s helping me stick to what I start.” And for Ada, who completed her bronze

award virtually last year and is now pursuing silver, the program has deepened her community involvement. “I joined the school’s Eco Club and the AWARE Youth Committee,” she said. “It’s helped me get more active in volunteering and leadership.” Moore said that’s exactly the kind of transformation she hopes to see. And she has noticed the shift start to make its way down to participating students in lower grades. “Some of the younger students are going to the gym or volunteering for the first time,” she explained. “They have assessors, mentors they reach out to for feedback, and that teaches confidence and communication, too.”

GLOBAL AWARD WITH LOCAL IMPACT

Becoming an official Award Centre means WWS can now directly register and mentor students rather than relying on external virtual programs. “Last year, Ada completed her bronze independently online,” Moore explained. “Now that the club runs in-school, we’ve had an incredible uptake; 16 students from Grade 8 through 12.” The school’s three annual outdoor education trips double as “Adventurous Journeys” for students completing their awards. These excursions involve overnight hikes and backcountry experiences, like a recent trip to Elfin Lakes. Dodds said one of the program’s biggest benefits is its emphasis on setting specific, measurable, achievable, realistic and timebound (or, “SMART”) goals. “They might start with something broad like, ‘I want to be a better cello player,’” she said. “We help them refine that into actionable steps. It tightens their focus and gives them a way to track progress.” She added the program is particularly valuable in a community where volunteer opportunities for youth can be limited by liability rules. “There often aren’t a lot of formal pathways for minors to contribute,” Dodds said. “This gives them the structure and motivation to go knocking on doors and find meaningful ways to give back.” Moore said the school plans to run the program annually, with students advancing through bronze, silver, and eventually gold levels. The program’s appeal, she explained, is universal. “We have families from all over the world with kids at WWS. So, a lot of parents were Duke of Ed participants themselves, especially those from the U.K. or Australia,” Dodds said. “It’s something that sticks with people for life.” n

WE’RE ON THE MENU AT CORNUCOPIA WILDERNESS WINE MAKERS DINNER

SEA TO SKY SHAKER SHOWDOWN

EAST MEETS WEST DINNER

November 7 6:00pm

November 13 5:30pm

November 15 6:00pm

NEWS WHISTLER

From resort to resilient A PANEL HOSTED BY THE WHISTLER INSTITUTE WILL EXPLORE WHAT IT TAKES FOR ALPINE COMMUNITIES TO THRIVE YEAR-ROUND IN A CHANGING CLIMATE

BY LIZ MCDONALD WHEN IT COMES TO LIFE in mountain towns, the landscape gives as much as it takes. Their beauty and access to nature make them desirable places to live and visit—but that same geography also exposes them to wildfire risk, volatile snowpacks, thawing permafrost, and the pressure to balance economic vitality with environmental integrity. Those tensions will take centre stage on Thursday, Oct. 23, when the Whistler Institute hosts Peaks and Pressures: From Resort to Resilient Mountain Towns, a panel discussion examining how alpine communities can evolve from recreation-based resorts into resilient, year-round places to live. The evening will feature Eric Callender, vice-president of Ecosign Mountain Resort Planners; Erick Villagomez, a lecturer and researcher at UBC’s School of Community and Regional Planning; and Bryce Phillips, founder and CEO of evo, the global outdoor-experience brand. Together, they’ll unpack how design, planning and mobility can help mountain towns adapt to a rapidly changing world. For Callender, who has spent nearly three decades designing ski areas around the globe, resilience starts in the terrain itself. The veteran resort planner says climate change is

now baked into every project—from ensuring lifts and lodges are built on stable ground as glaciers retreat, to designing infrastructure that works year-round. “If we’re working in glaciated terrain, we’re far more conscious about where the snow level will be,” he said. “Infrastructure like gondolas now needs to be placed on confident terrain, so it’s not affected by glaciers shrinking or rock becoming unstable.” That pragmatic shift, Callender explained, also extends to how people experience mountains outside the ski season. Where resorts once built exclusively for winter, today’s plans consider sightseeing, hiking and summer recreation as core uses. “We’re seeing more installations that are planned around pedestrians and year-round use,” he said. “That’s a resilience factor—getting more out of the lifetime of the equipment.” Callender points to Whistler as a global example. “A lot of people don’t realize how unique Whistler is,” he said. “Our summer visitation actually exceeds winter, and that’s rare worldwide. Whistler recognized early on that year-round planning was essential—and it’s given us a 40-year head start.” While Callender focuses on physical form, Villagomez is interested in the human element. The Vancouver-based urban designer studies how settlements express social values—and what mountain towns reveal about ours.

Warmth all winter long

Visit Pemberton Valley Hardware to view our selection of Home Heating Products

“Mountain towns mirror the things people value most: connection to nature, recreation, escape,” he said. “But there’s often a contradiction, because we prize the landscape while building in ways that strain it. The best towns show a certain humility—compact, adaptive, rooted in the terrain.” That humility, Villagomez argues, must extend beyond engineering and into community well-being. “True resilience isn’t just about building stronger bridges or firebreaks,” he said. “It’s about belonging, mental stability, and a shared sense of place. Those social networks and cultural continuities are what help communities endure shocks.” Whistler’s compact village core is a strength, he added, but the challenge lies in extending that sense of connection beyond the tourism centre. “You need to share the wealth,” he said. “Places for sharing and gathering can’t just be for visitors—they’re critical for the permanent residents who sustain a town year-round.” Villagomez also links planning to visual culture, saying maps, drawings and public art are tools for collective imagination. “Visual tools make the future tangible,” he said. “They help communities think together empathetically, creating a shared vision.” For Phillips, founder of evo and a former professional skier who split his early career

between Seattle and Whistler, resilience is also about movement—how people connect to each other and to place. “This conversation matters,” Phillips said in a statement. “Whistler has evolved tremendously since the mid-’90s, rounding out its economy and livability in inspiring ways. This event offers a chance to celebrate that progress, ease fears about the future, and discover ideas from other places that can help us keep moving forward.” Phillips’ business model blends retail, recreation and travel with community investment, reflecting a mobility-focused approach to sustainable mountain living: fewer barriers between seasons, spaces and social groups. Together, the three speakers represent complementary perspectives—the resort planner balancing terrain and infrastructure, the regional planner urging humility and belonging, and the entrepreneur-builder connecting mobility with community. Their conversation is less about any single solution than about embracing the complexity that defines life in mountain places. Hosted by the Whistler Institute, Peaks and Pressures: From Resort to Resilient Mountain Towns takes place Thursday, Oct. 23, at 6 p.m. at the Maury Young Arts Centre. Tickets and details are available at whistlerinstitute.com. n

Come visit our in house expert regarding your home heating needs, design, installations, and WETT inspections

7426 Prospect Street • 604-698-9322 Contact Flemming at: Flemming@pembertonvalleyhardware.ca

18 OCTOBER 17, 2025

Life in motion. Rooted in Pemberton. A new community in Pemberton, designed for Sea to Sky families.

Own a brand-new 3 bed, 2 bath home with: Large garage

Laundry/mudroom

Covered deck

Central heating and cooling

Full-size kitchen

Energy-efficient, Climate-resilient design

Open concept living

Priced below market. GST rebate eligible. This is not an offering for sale. Any offering for sale must comply with the Real Estate Development Marketing Act and proceed under a disclosure statement, if applicable.

Scan to learn more

FIFTY YEARS OF FREEDOM

Chester Johnson NOV. 1, 1925-MARCH 29, 2010

The Resort Municipality of Whistler from time to time recognizes certain persons in the community who have contributed of themselves to help make Whistler a better place for all to enjoy. The community recognizes these outstanding contributions by declaring them: “Freeman of the Resort Municipality of Whistler.”

BY BOB BARNETT CHESTER JOHNSON received the Order of Canada, the Order of British Columbia and the Freedom of the Resort Municipality of Whistler, among other awards, during a lifetime in B.C. business and politics. But it’s unlikely he won many popularity contests. “We needed a real stubborn son of a bitch to make this thing go,” recalled John Watson, who worked with Johnson negotiating the transfer of Vancouver International Airport from Ottawa to B.C. “And when Chester sets a goal, he certainly can be very stubborn.” Whistler learned this in the early 1980s. Johnson didn’t make a lot of friends during his time as head of Whistler Land Company (WLC) Developments, but he earned respect as he led the fledgling resort out of a financial quagmire. Chester Johnson was the quintessential B.C. businessman of the 20th century. Born and raised in Vancouver, his training as a chartered accountant led him to forestry, British Columbia’s most important industry. When Johnson was hired as a consultant by Whonnock Lumber Co. in the early 1960s, the company consisted of two mills and several logging tracts. By 1966 he and a partner owned controlling interest in Whonnock. They took the company public as it expanded and by the 1970s, with Johnson as president and CEO, annual sales had grown from $6 million to $191 million. After Whonnock was sold in 1977, Johnson was recruited by West Fraser Timber, and as CEO led that company to new heights. Johnson was introduced to the freeenterprise political dynasty of the day, the Bennett family, in the 1950s when he was a consultant to the family’s hardware chain. Under the Social Credit party umbrella, W.A.C. Bennett was premier of B.C. from 1952 to 1972. His son, Bill Bennett, led the province from 1975 to 1986. In 1983, in the midst of a severe recession and with Whistler on the verge of bankruptcy, Bill Bennett created a new crown corporation, WLC Developments, to stabilize the situation. He appointed Johnson chair.

20 OCTOBER 17, 2025

PHOTO FROM THE WHISTLER QUESTION COLLECTION / COURTESY OF THE WHISTLER MUSEUM

“I’d known Bill Bennett for 35 years and he asked me to go up there and clean up the mess—because it was a mess,” Johnson said in an interview in 2000. “When I first went up there, I had to basically get a feeling of what the problems were and where they were. It didn’t take me very long. The conference centre was just a pile of dirt, basically. It just wasn’t what they needed up there.” What Johnson thought Whistler needed and what Whistler wanted were often diametrically opposed. Whistler had spent a lot of time planning the village, intending it to become the commercial and social hub of the community. The design is of a scale proportionate to the mountains, it’s pedestrian oriented, incorporates view corridors and, critically, “warm beds”— visitors occupying the condo-hotels in the village. When Johnson arrived in 1983 he found Village Square much as it is today, but the recession that hit the previous year had brought work on the next phase of the village to a halt. The area between Village Square and Whistler Mountain’s new north side lifts was a moonscape of mud and halffinished foundations with rebar poking through the snow. As well, the Whistler Golf Course and the building that would become the conference centre were both unfinished. Meanwhile, the municipality’s development arm, the Whistler Village Land Company (WVLC), had $8 million in debts and no way to repay them. With interest rates at more than 20 per cent, village development parcels weren’t selling.

So WLC Developments took over the assets and liabilities of WVLC and Johnson started to assess the situation. And Whistler started to assess Johnson. “Chester was a black-and-white kind of guy,” recalled Drew Meredith, who led the Whistler Resort Association (now Tourism Whistler) through the early ’80s and then was mayor from 1986 to 1990. “He came in—they wanted to take Village North, buck it up into quarter-acre lots and flog it out the door.” Village North, the area north of Village Gate Boulevard, was to be the provincial government’s payoff for assuming WVLC’s debts. For a free enterprise party, selling raw land to the highest bidder would have been the most efficient way to recoup its interests. Fortunately, village architect Eldon Beck convinced Johnson and his people to maintain the original concepts for Whistler Village. But it took a while. “That was a continual fight,” said Meredith, “because their interests were not our interests. We wanted a scale of village that was in keeping with what we had and looked good. None of these people had any experience with multi-use integrated development. They were used to buying a parking lot in Vancouver and building a high-rise.” People in Whistler expected Mayor Mark Angus or another prominent local to be appointed to the WLC board, but it was all made up of friends and business acquaintances of Bennett. “It was the premier who appointed the board, because they had everything at risk,” Johnson said. “He took quite a gamble to give us that kind of money ($21

million), but he knew the people, myself and the rest of the directors. We did it all on our own time. But all our meetings ran from probably 3 o’clock until midnight— and this went on for years. None of them got paid five cents.” One of the first and more controversial decisions Johnson made was to turn the unfinished Resort Centre—originally planned to house a pool and an ice rink— into the Whistler Conference Centre. With no input from the community, Johnson spent approximately $14 million of WLC Developments’ $21 million on the conversion and finishing the building. WLC also finished the golf course and various bits of infrastructure. Although Johnson and the WLC board tacitly accepted that the concepts Whistler had developed worked, they didn’t countenance any interference while they were getting things done. “I had a few words with Angus during that time,” Johnson said. “He came to me once and said, ‘You can’t just do what you want to do.’ And I said, ‘Listen, Angus, I’ve been appointed by the premier of this province, who’s given me the money, and we can do it the nice way or the hard way. You’re bankrupt. If you want to be an arm of the provincial government you just say so and I’ll go and that’s what will happen.” A few years later, the threat of selling the conference centre and Whistler Golf Course to private interests further antagonized Whistler. “Nobody ever even talked about that until it became essential, because the Socreds were going to sell them,” Meredith said. “No question, they were going to sell those facilities.” Johnson claimed in 2000 that selling the facilities was never seriously considered. After years of negotiations they were returned to Whistler in 1989. And in the 1990s, the debt to the province was re-paid through the sale of carefully-planned parcels in Village North. “You know, although the government put up that money, they got all their money back ten-fold,” Johnson said. “That $21 million that Bill Bennett put up for us was paid back in spades.” Johnson went on to serve the province as head of BC Hydro and was the first chair of the Vancouver Airport Authority. He was also involved in Expo 86, the 2010 Olympics and the Haida Nation’s Power Authority. He received the Freedom of the RMOW in 1993. He died in 2010 at the age of 84. This is Part 7 in a 16-part series recognizing Whistler’s Freedom of the Municipality holders, in honour of the Resort Municipality of Whistler’s 50th anniversary. Watch for the others in the weeks ahead, and find them all at piquenewsmagazine.com. Bob Barnett is the founding editor and co-publisher of Pique Newsmagazine. n

The Whistler Institute’s Global Perspectives Speaker Series presents

Peaks and Pressures: From Resort to Resilient Mountain Towns Tickets: Thursday, October 23 at 6 PM Maury Young Arts Centre

Sponsored by Beedie Living

whistlerinstitute.com

Eric Callender Vice President, Ecosign

Bryce Phillips Founder and CEO, evo & Partner, evolution Projects

Erick Villagomez School of Community & Regional Planning, UBC

Buy Canadian should fund Canadian jobs and news, not U.S. Big Tech A Message from Canada’s news publishers

Buy Canadian Buy Canadian should fund should Canadian fund Canadian Buy Buy Canadian Canadian should should fund fund Canadian Canadian Buy Buy Buy Canadian Canadian Canadian should should should fund fund fund Canadian Canadian Canadian Buy Canadian should fund Canadian jobs and news, jobs and not news, U.S. Big not Tech U.S. Big Tech jobs jobs and and news, news, not not U.S. U.S. Big Big Tech Tech jobs jobs jobs and and and news, news, news, not not not U.S. U.S. U.S. BigBig Big Tech Tech Tech jobs and not U.S. Big Tech Message from Anews, Message Canada’s from news Canada’s publishers news publishers A Message Afrom Message from from Canada’s Canada’s news news publishers publishers A Message AAAMessage Message from from Canada’s Canada’s Canada’s news news news publishers publishers publishers

To the Government of Canada,

Canada’s sovereignty and economy is under threat from abroad. More than ever, Canadians must be free to decide our own country’s future. A strong, plural and free news media is an essential ingredient to our democracy: a healthy industry that serves and is beholden to Canadians, not foreign tech giants.

A Message from Canada’s news publishers

Our Canadian publications have always stood a strong and independent Canada. To Government of Canada, To Government of Canada, To Government the Government of the Canada, of for Canada, To the To Government the Tothe the Government Government ofthe Canada, ofTo Canada, of Canada,

Canada’s sovereignty and economy Canada’s is sovereignty threat from and economy abroad. More isMore under than threat ever, from Canadians abroad. must More than free ever, must Canada’s Canada’s sovereignty sovereignty and economy and economy is abroad. under threat is under from threat abroad. from More abroad. than More ever, than Canadians ever, Canadians must free must tobe free tobe free to Canada’s Canada’s sovereignty Canada’s sovereignty sovereignty and economy and and economy is economy under is threat under isunder under threat from threat from from abroad. More abroad. than More ever, than than Canadians ever, ever, Canadians Canadians must be must free must be tobe free be free to to tobe Canadians

To the Government Canada, ambition to build Canada strong, and commitment in the forth coming Budget to Buy Canadian. We applaud the Government ofof Canada’s decide our own country’s future. our own future. country’s future. decide ourdecide own country’s ourdecide own country’s future. decide decide our decide own ourcountry’s our own own country’s future. country’s future. future.

Canada’s sovereignty and economy is under threat from abroad. More than ever, Canadians must be free to Aplural plural and free news A media strong, isplural an andis free ingredient news media to isour andemocracy: essential ingredient ato healthy to our that democracy: that aindustry healthythat industry that Aplural strong, Aplural strong, and plural free news and media news an media essential an ingredient essential ingredient to our ademocracy: our democracy: aindustry healthy aindustry healthythat A strong, A strong, Astrong, strong, and plural free and news and free free media news news media is an media essential is an isfree essential anessential ingredient essential ingredient ingredient to isour to democracy: our toour democracy: democracy: a healthy healthy aindustry healthy industry that industry that decide our own country’s future. Last year, our federal government including agencies and Crown corporations spent over $100 million on advertising. serves and isisbeholden serves and not isforeign beholden tech togiants. Canadians, not foreign tech giants. and serves is to beholden and is foreign beholden tonot Canadians, togiants. Canadians, not foreign not tech foreign giants. tech giants. serves serves and serves is beholden and and isserves beholden beholden to Canadians, to Canadians, toCanadians, Canadians, not not foreign tech foreign tech tech giants. giants. 1 A strong, plural and free news media is an essential ingredient to our democracy: a healthy industry that Most of itOur went toOur U.S.publications Big Our Tech. Canadian have Our always Canadian stood publications for astood have and always independent for Canada. a strong and independent Canadian Canadian publications publications have always have always for astood strong for and astood strong independent and independent Canada. Canada. Canada. Our Canadian OurOur Canadian publications Canadian publications publications always have have stood always for stood astood strong for afor strong and astrong strong independent and and independent independent Canada. Canada. Canada. serves and is have beholden toalways Canadians, not foreign tech giants. We applaud the Government We of Canada’s applaud the ambition Government to build of Canada Canada’s strong, ambition and commitment to build Canada in strong, forth in the forth We applaud We applaud Government the Government of Canada’s of Canada’s ambition ambition to build Canada to build strong, Canada and commitment and inand thecommitment forth in the forth We applaud Wewe We applaud the applaud Government theAmerican the Government Government ofthe Canada’s of Canada’s of ambition Canada’s ambition to ambition build to Canada build to build Canada strong, Canada strong, and strong, commitment and and commitment commitment the in forth the inthe the forth forth Our Canadian publications have always stood for a strong and Canada. Why are funding tech monopolies that extract tens of independent billions a year outin ofstrong, Canada --commitment largely untaxed -- at the expense of local coming to Buy Canadian. coming to Buy Canadian. coming coming toBudget Buy Canadian. toBudget Buy Canadian. comingcoming Budget coming Budget toBudget Budget Buy to Canadian. Buy toBudget Buy Canadian. Canadian. journalism and whose platforms have become division andand disinformation? Weculture, applaudand the Government of Canada’s ambitionvectors to build for Canada strong, commitment in the forth Last year, our federal government Last year, including our federal agencies government and Crown including corporations agencies spent and over Crown $100 corporations million spent over $100 Last year, Last our federal year, ourgovernment federal government including including agencies and agencies Crown and corporations Crown corporations spent over spent $100 over million $100 on million onmillion on Last year, Last Last our year, federal year, our our federal government federal government including including agencies including agencies and agencies Crown and and Crown corporations Crown corporations corporations spent spent over spent $100 over over million $100 $100 million on million onon on coming Budget to government Buy Canadian. 1 1 1 1 of 1Most 1 of advertising. itit went to advertising. U.S. Tech. itU.S. went U.S.1Big Tech. advertising. advertising. Most of it Most went to itU.S. went Big to Tech. Bigto Tech. advertising. advertising. advertising. Most of Most itMost went Most of of itof to went U.S. went to Big U.S. to Tech. U.S. BigBig Tech. Big Tech. Unlike them, Last we are accountable to Canadians and legally liable whatcorporations we publish.spent Our over professional journalists chase the truth, not year, our federal government including agencies andfor Crown $100 million on Why are we funding American Why tech are monopolies we funding that American extract tech tens of billions aathat year extract out tens -billions largely year out of--Canada Why areMost we Why funding we American funding American tech monopolies tech monopolies extract tens extract of billions tens aof year billions outof aof year outaof --Canada largely largely -- largely Why are Why we Why are funding are we funding weAmerican funding American American tech monopolies tech tech monopolies monopolies that extract that extract tens extract ofthat tens billions tens ofmonopolies billions of athat year billions aout year of year out Canada out ofof Canada of --Canada Canada largely -largely --Canada largely 1 that advertising. ofare it went to U.S. Big Tech. algorithms. We produce reliable, trustworthy information, not clickbait and AI slop. untaxed --expense expense of local journalism -- local atculture, the and expense culture, of and local whose journalism platforms and culture, have become and whose vectors platforms have becomeforvectors for untaxed --expense untaxed at the expense --untaxed at the of expense journalism of local journalism and culture, and and culture, whose and platforms whose platforms have become have vectors become for vectors untaxed untaxed --untaxed at the -- at --at the atthe the expense of local ofjournalism local of local journalism journalism and and and culture, and culture, whose and and whose platforms whose platforms platforms have become have have become vectors become vectors for vectors forfor for Why aredisinformation? we funding American tech that extract tens of billions a year out of Canada -- largely division and division andmonopolies disinformation? division and division disinformation? and disinformation? divisiondivision and division disinformation? and and disinformation? disinformation? untaxed -- at the expense ofIn local journalism and culture, and whose platforms have become vectors forlead and set aside a minimum of Let’s reinvest our ad dollars in Canada. Budget 2025, the Government of Canada should follow Ontario’s Unlike them, we are accountable Unlike to them, Canadians we are and accountable legally liable to for what and publish. legally liable professional for what weOur publish. Our professional Unlike them, Unlike weto them, are accountable weCanadians accountable to Canadians to Canadians and legally and liable legally for liable what for we what publish. weOur publish. professional professional Unlike Unlike them, Unlike them, we them, are we accountable we are are accountable accountable Canadians to toareCanadians and legally and and legally liable legally for liable liable what forCanadians we for what publish. what wewe we publish. Our publish. professional OurOur Our professional professional division and disinformation? 25% of its advertising budgets for Canadian news media. journalists chase the truth, not journalists algorithms. chase We the produce truth, reliable, not algorithms. trustworthy We produce information, reliable, not trustworthy clickbait and information, notand clickbait and journalists journalists chase the chase truth, the not truth, algorithms. not algorithms. We produce We reliable, produce trustworthy reliable, trustworthy information, information, not clickbait not and clickbait journalists journalists journalists chase chase the chase truth, the the not truth, truth, algorithms. not not algorithms. algorithms. We produce We We produce reliable, produce reliable, trustworthy reliable, trustworthy trustworthy information, information, information, not clickbait not not clickbait and clickbait andand Unlike are accountable to Canadians and legally liable for what we publish. Our professional AI slop. AI them, slop. we AI slop. AI slop.AI AI slop. AIslop. slop. journalists chase the truth, not algorithms.can We support produce reliable, trustworthy information, not clickbait AtLet’s no additional cost to taxpayers, the government local jobs while itsshould message out inand aof brand safe environment. Let’s reinvest our ad Let’s Canada. reinvest In our Budget adin2025, dollars 2025, inthe Canada. Government In Budget of 2025, the should Government follow Canada should follow Let’s reinvest our reinvest adin our adIn indollars Canada. In Canada. Budget In 2025, Budget the 2025, Government the Government of Canada of should Canada follow should follow reinvest Let’s Let’s reinvest reinvest adour dollars our adLet’s dollars adindollars dollars Canada. in Canada. indollars In Canada. Budget Budget In2025, Budget the 2025, Government the the Government Government of Canada ofgetting Canada ofCanada should Canada follow should follow follow AIour slop. 2 Ontario’s lead and aside aOntario’s lead of 25% and aside advertising abudgets minimum budgets for ofCanadian its advertising news media. budgets for Canadian news media. Far fewer Canadians trust ads on Instagram than published by Canadian news media. Ontario’s Ontario’s lead and set lead aside and set aand minimum aside aof minimum ofits 25% of ofthose its 25% advertising ofof its25% advertising budgets for budgets Canadian for Canadian news media. news media. Ontario’s Ontario’s Ontario’s lead and lead set lead and aside and setset aset aside minimum aside aFacebook minimum aminimum minimum of 25% of of 25% of its 25% advertising ofset its of advertising its advertising budgets for budgets Canadian for Canadian for Canadian news media. news news media. media. Let’s reinvest our ad dollars in Canada. In Budget 2025, the Government of Canada should follow additional cost to At no the additional government cost to can taxpayers, support local the government jobs while getting can support its message local out while message At to no additional At no additional cost to taxpayers, cost tocan taxpayers, the government the government can support can local support jobs local while jobs getting while itsjobs getting message out message in aits out in a out in a At no additional AtAt no Atno additional no additional cost cost taxpayers, cost to taxpayers, totaxpayers, taxpayers, the government the government government support can can support local support jobs local while local jobs jobs getting while while getting its getting message its message its out message innews aout out inmedia. aininaits a getting Ontario’s lead and aside a the minimum of 25% of its advertising budgets for Canadian Buying Canadian advertising inset Canadian news media is both the right and smart thing topublished do. brand safe environment. Far fewer brand Canadians safe environment. trust ads Far on fewer Canadians and Instagram trust ads than on Facebook those published Instagram bybythosethan by brand safebrand environment. safe environment. Far fewer Far Canadians fewer trust adsInstagram on trust Facebook ads on Facebook and Instagram and Instagram than those than published published by those published by brand safe brand brand environment. safe safe environment. environment. Far fewer Far Canadians fewer Far fewer Canadians Canadians trust ads trust on trust ads Facebook ads onCanadians Facebook onFacebook Facebook and and and Instagram Instagram than those than than published those those published byand by 22 2 2 media. 2 cost Atmedia. nonews additional to taxpayers, the2 government can support local jobs while getting its message out in a Canadian Canadian news media.2 Canadian Canadian news media. news media. Canadian Canadian news Canadian news news media. media. brand safe environment. Far fewer Canadians trust ads on Facebook and Instagram than those published by Respectfully, Buying Canadian advertising inBuying Canadian media advertising isisboth in the and news media thing isto both to the right and smart thing to do. Buying Canadian Buying advertising advertising in news Canadian in Canadian news media news isright both media the issmart right both and the smart right and thing smart to do. thing to do. BuyingBuying Canadian Buying Canadian advertising Canadian advertising advertising inmedia. Canadian inCanadian inCanadian news Canadian media news news media is both media is the both right both theCanadian and the right smart right and and thing smart smart to thing do. thing do. todo. do. 2 Canadian Canadian news Canada’s news publishers Respectfully, Respectfully, Respectfully, Respectfully, Respectfully, Respectfully, Respectfully, Buying Canadian advertising in Canadian news media is both the right and smart thing to do. Canada’s news publishers Canada’s news publishers Canada’s news Canada’s publishers news publishers Canada’s Canada’s news Canada’s publishers news news publishers publishers Respectfully, Canada’s news publishers

SOURCES SOURCES SOURCES SOURCES SOURCES SOURCES SOURCES SOURCES 1 1 1 1 Annual Report onCanada Government of of Canada Advertising Activities Annual 2023-2024, Report on Government combined with ofwith Canada proprietary Advertising industry Activities data. combined with proprietary industry data. 1 1 1 Annual Report onCanada Government Annual Report ofon Canada Government Advertising ofwith Canada Activities Advertising 2023-2024, Activities combined 2023-2024, with proprietary combined industry with proprietary data. industry data. Annual Report Annual on Government Annual Report Report on Government of on Government Advertising of Canada Activities Advertising Advertising 2023-2024, Activities Activities 2023-2024, combined 2023-2024, combined proprietary combined with industry proprietary proprietary data. industry industry data. data. 2023-2024, 1 2 2 2 2 Annual Report Government of Canada Advertising Activities combined with proprietary data. Totum Canada, January 2025. Canadians 18+, Totum n=2418.; Research Pollara Canada, for2023-2024, the Dais. January 2025 2025. Survey Canadians of Online 18+, Harms, n=2418.; Canadians Pollara 16+, forindustry n=2502. the Dais. 2025 Survey of Online 16+, Harms, Canadians 16+, n=2502. 2 2 2 on Research Totum Research Canada, Totum Research January 2025. Canada, Canadians January 18+, 2025. n=2418.; Canadians Pollara 18+, for n=2418.; Dais. Pollara 2025 Survey for the of Dais. Online 2025 Harms, Survey Canadians of Online Harms, 16+, n=2502. Canadians n=2502. Totum Research Totum Canada, Totum Research January Research Canada, 2025. Canada, January Canadians January 2025.18+, Canadians 2025. n=2418.; Canadians 18+, Pollara n=2418.; 18+, forn=2418.; the Pollara Dais. Pollara for 2025 the Survey for Dais. the 2025 of Dais. Online Survey 2025 Harms, Survey ofthe Online Canadians of Online Harms, 16+, Harms, Canadians n=2502. Canadians 16+, n=2502. 16+, n=2502. 2 Totum Research Canada, SOURCESJanuary 2025. Canadians 18+, n=2418.; Pollara for the Dais. 2025 Survey of Online Harms, Canadians 16+, n=2502. 1 2

Annual Report on Government of Canada Advertising Activities 2023-2024, combined with proprietary industry data. Totum Research Canada, January 2025. Canadians 18+, n=2418.; Pollara for the Dais. 2025 Survey of Online Harms, Canadians 16+, n=2502.

OCTOBER 17, 2025

NEWS PEMBERTON

Pemberton council grapples with latest highway horse tragedy, seeks provincial support OUTSPOKEN COMMUNITY MEMBERS ARE CALLING FOR SPEED REDUCTIONS, FENCING AND STRONGER ENFORCEMENT FOLLOWING THREE HORSE DEATHS

BY LUKE FAULKS Local Journalism Initiative Reporter THREE WEEKS AFTER a collision on Highway 99 killed multiple free-roaming horses, the Village of Pemberton has again taken up the contentious issue of livestock on local roads. At its Oct. 7 meeting, council reviewed multiple letters and petitions from locals demanding action, while Mayor Mike Richman outlined the municipality’s limited powers and ongoing appeals to higher levels of government. Richman began by stressing that council shares residents’ concern and is “not turning a blind eye” to the problem. He noted that people sitting at the Village’s council table have been working on the issue for years, if not decades. “We’re all losing sleep on this,” he said. “The safety of our residents and the welfare of the horses is top of mind for all of us.” The mayor described the unique complexity of the situation: the horses travel across reserve lands, Squamish-Lillooet Regional District (SLRD) areas, village limits and ultimately onto the provincial highway. Still, Richman sees a path through the jurisdictional nightmare that has repeatedly plagued attempts to address the situation. Because the root of the issue lies with the

NEIGHSAYERS Mayor Mike Richman noted any changes to the highway—even this signage installed last year—require permission from the Ministry of Transportation and Transit. PHOTO BY LUKE FAULKS

22 OCTOBER 17, 2025

highway itself—an area the Village and the semi-wild horses’ owner can agree on—the issue demands a provincial remedy. “These horses are a danger to all of our residents and all our communities, and it’s on a provincial highway. We need provincial support on this. We can’t deal with it on our own,” Richman told council, pointing to his conversations with provincial ministers at the September Union of BC Municipalities (UBCM) convention.

CITIZENS MAKE THEIR WAY TO COUNCIL

In the wake of the latest horse collision, residents have made clear they expect stronger action. Community member Elkie Webb submitted petitions and letters calling for speed reductions, clearer signage and infrastructure changes along Highway 99. The petitions describe how “children waiting for school buses are at particular risk” of speeding vehicles, wildlife and livestock are regularly struck, and farmers face “near misses with livestock and difficulties entering or exiting driveways.” In her letter, Webb emphasized that this is the start of a broader effort. “This petition effort only began on Sept. 21,” she wrote. “In the short time available, I have been able to gather 261 signatures online.” Not all residents agree that lowering speeds is the solution. Nicholas Ciarniello’s alternate petition, signed onto by 60 people, argued the opposite. “Free-roaming horses are a danger to everyone and everything on a highway,” it

reads. “Force the owner of the Pemberton horses to fence his horses under the Livestock Act. Maintain the already slow speed limit of 80 km/hr. Slower drivers are more of a hazard.” Richman addressed the notion of using the Livestock Act during the meeting. The Act defines owner liability for damage or trespass and details the process for impounding and selling livestock found at large. “The Act generally states that if you don’t want roaming animals on your property, it’s up to you to build a fence,” Richman explained. “We’re not in a position to enforce the Livestock Act.” Christina Prevost submitted a brief letter underscoring that “the welfare of the horses is a separate issue but also a serious issue. Shame.” And Cam McIvor, a longtime resident who said he has driven the corridor “4–8 times per day on average for 31 years,” wrote in to urge council to act decisively. While he supported a lower, 60 km/h speed limit, he warned the issue would persist without enforcement. “This matter has cost the communities hundreds of thousands of dollars over the years,” McIvor wrote, citing property damage, emergency callouts and fencing costs. He criticized council’s 2024 decision to remove livestock provisions from its animal control bylaw. A staff report from the time found that the Village “does not have the resources or capacity to support the care of larger animals, should there be a need to apprehend and house them,” adding the cost of enforcement— including “building paddocks and shelters, vet care and providing food and security”—

would be prohibitive. “Seize the horses, [pass] a livestock bylaw with serious fines, [and] work with the RCMP,” wrote McIvor.

COUNCIL RESPONSE AND NEXT STEPS

Richman told councillors petitions like Webb’s are valuable but must now be directed to higher levels of government. “At this point, my suggestion would be to direct your petitions and letters and concerns to the Minister of Transportation, the Minister of Agriculture and the Minister [of State for Local Governments and Rural Communities],” he said. “If we can get more voices from the community to support our ongoing advocacy work, that will be super helpful.” Council passed motions to respond formally to letter-writers and re-engage with the BC SPCA about animal welfare. Staff note that when the Village reached out to the nonprofit before, the SPCA said it didn’t have the resources or capacity to address the issue. The Village also encouraged residents to elevate concerns provincially. Webb asked if council could help host community tables to gather more signatures, but Richman suggested grassroots efforts would be more effective. “If it came from the community, it would actually have more impact than if it was another municipal initiative,” he said. In the meantime, the Village is pressing the province for support. “This isn’t a, ‘Get back to us in two months’ thing—this is a ‘happening now’ thing,” Richman said. “What do you have for us? What can you help us with?” n

NEWS PEMBERTON

Notice of Public Hearing “Official Community Plan Amendment Bylaw (Provincial Housing Legislation, Regional Growth Strategy, Housekeeping) No. 2491, 2025” and “Official Community Plan Amendment Bylaw (Regional Context Statement) No. 2496, 2025” (collectively, the “proposed Bylaws”) Tuesday, October 28, 2025 @ 5:30 p.m. Via Microsoft Teams Webinar / Telephone

FALSE ALARM The new measures aim to cut down on wasted police and fire resources. PHOTO BY ZEPHYR18 / ISTOCK / GETTY IMAGES PLUS

Pemberton council considers updated false alarm bylaws with new fees THE VILLAGE WILL NOW CHARGE $200 FOR THE THIRD OR FOURTH FALSE ALARM IN A YEAR, FOLLOWED BY $300 FOR THE FIFTH AND SUBSEQUENT INCIDENTS OVER A TWO-YEAR PERIOD

BY LUKE FAULKS Local Journalism Initiative Reporter THE VILLAGE of Pemberton have given first, second and third readings to an updated set of false alarm bylaws introducing higher fees and new enforcement measures, after a staff report showed more than half of alarm calls in recent years have been false. “False alarms waste municipal and RCMP resources and deflect attention from legitimate calls,” said corporate officer Gwendolyn Kennedy during an Oct. 7 council meeting. “Over 50 per cent of alarm calls that Pemberton Fire Rescue receives are false alarms. The RCMP reported responding to 61 false alarms in 2025 as of mid-September.”

NEW FINE STRUCTURE

Under the new rules, property owners will be charged $200 for a third or fourth false alarm in a 12-month period, and $300 for a fifth and subsequent false alarms within 24 months. Pemberton Fire Rescue will also now be able to levy a $350 per hour standby fee if crews must remain on scene waiting for an owner or contact person to arrive. While no standby fee applies to police responses, because the Village does not directly pay RCMP costs, Kennedy noted the bylaw leaves room to add such a fee in the future. The Village is expected to shoulder 70 per cent of the costs of a municipal police force once the population reaches 5,000. The new false alarm bylaw also empowers the fire chief or chief administrative officer to waive fees if an owner can show improvements to reduce false alarms, such as repairs to malfunctioning equipment. Beyond fees, the bylaw also sets out new obligations. Owners with alarms installed must provide police and fire officials with contact information for three people who can

be reached in the event of an alarm, and monitoring companies must attempt to reach the owner or a contact person before alerting emergency responders. Exceptions apply for hold-up alarms (commonly known as silent alarms) and cases where the provincial Building Code requires immediate dispatch of services—namely, larger or highrisk occupancies like care and detention facilities or high-rise buildings. If no one is available to attend the property, police or fire crews are authorized to secure the premises themselves. Causing a false alarm is now explicitly defined as an offence under Village bylaws.

COMPARING WITH OTHER MUNICIPALITIES

A staff review found Pemberton’s old fine schedule—$50 for a third alarm and $100 for each subsequent one—was significantly lower than many other B.C. municipalities. The District of North Vancouver, for example, charges up to $1,042 for the sixth and subsequent false fire alarms, while Nanaimo levies $300 per fire incident plus $350 per hour if a representative does not attend promptly. By contrast, Squamish charges a flat $200 for fire alarms, while Revelstoke and Smithers impose fees in the $300–to-$400 range. Council members noted Pemberton’s new structure, while more stringent than before, still falls in the middle of the provincial spectrum. Councillors voted unanimously to pass the bylaws after brief discussion. Councillor Katrina Nightingale said she appreciated that the escalating fees incentivize corrective action rather than “just being directly punitive.” Once adopted at a future meeting, the bylaws will take effect on Jan. 1, 2026. After that, property owners who trigger false alarms will receive written warnings after their first and second incidents before fines are applied. n

Purpose: An official community plan is a statement of objectives and policies to guide municipal decisions on planning and land use management within the Resort Municipality of Whistler (RMOW). In general terms, the purpose of the proposed Bylaws is to amend Schedule A of the Official Community Plan Bylaw No. 2199, 2018 to achieve the following three key objectives: 1) meet new provincial housing legislative requirements; 2) revise the Regional Context Statement for consistency with the Squamish-Lillooet Regional District Regional Growth Strategy; and 3) implement identified housekeeping updates. Collectively, the proposed Bylaws include amendments to growth management policies, further amendments to support classes of housing need, other amendments to align with provincial legislation, updates to the greenhouse gas emissions reduction target and the renewable energy goal timeline, amendments to the Regional Context Statement, housekeeping text amendments and housekeeping schedule mapping amendments. Subject Lands: Official Community Plan Bylaw No. 2199, 2018 and the proposed Bylaws affect all parcels of land in the RMOW. To learn more: A copy of the proposed Bylaws and background documentation are available for review from October 17, 2025 until October 28, 2025 at: • Municipal Hall at 4325 Blackcomb Way, Whistler, BC, during regular office hours of 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday to Friday (statutory holidays excluded) • Online on the RMOW website at: whistler.ca/publicnotices How to provide input: All persons who believe that their interest in property is affected by the proposed Bylaws will be given an opportunity to provide written and verbal comments that will be considered by Council as follows: 1. Submit written comments to Council via email: corporate@whistler.ca (must be received by 12:00 p.m. on October 28, 2025) (include “Public Hearing for 2025 OCP Amendment Bylaws” in the subject line, address the comments to “Mayor and Council”, and include your name and mailing address in the email); and/or 2. Submit written comments to Council via hand delivery: Resort Municipality of Whistler, Legislative Services Department, 4325 Blackcomb Way, Whistler BC V8E 0X5 (must be received by 12:00 p.m. on October 28, 2025) (include “Public Hearing for 2025 OCP Amendment Bylaws” in the subject line, address the comments to “Mayor and Council”, and include your name and mailing address in the letter); and/or 3. Provide verbal comments at the Public Hearing via online video or phone conferencing. Visit whistler.ca/publicnotices or scan the QR code below for instructions on how to access and participate in the Public Hearing. The Public Hearing link and phone numbers are also below. After the conclusion of this Public Hearing, Council cannot receive further input from the public on the proposed Bylaws. Public Hearing link: https://events.teams.microsoft.com/event/58496f6b-82af-41bf-8a8ab514aae800f5@f2328652-b00a-4255-a27b-2fe74ff817e0 • Webinar ID: 297 363 959 549 3 • Passcode: R5P2Ha9M Public Hearing phone numbers: • Dial in by Phone: +1-778-900-4662 • Phone conference ID: 240 316 237#

SCAN THE QR CODE FOR A COPY OF THE PROPOSED BYLAWS AND BACKGROUND DOCUMENTATION

OCTOBER 17, 2025

RANGE ROVER

New worlds never get old B26 SITS IN A RIVER-MOUTH archipelago leading into Ontario’s Georgian Bay. It’s remote enough to take an hour by motorboat to reach in the best of weather. Wild, woolly and mostly bare Canadian Shield exposed to the elements, it’s also small enough to walk around in five minutes—as my friends R&A, the island’s stewards often do, checking on the progress of nesting birds and other creatures that come, go

BY LESLIE ANTHONY or call it home. Animals who, for a few months each summer, are less neighbours than family. For anyone who enjoys imbedding in nature, B26 is a rare experience. The alpha-numeric code is how deeded lands in this labyrinth are identified so there’s a permanent government record of who is where—a layer of safety in case of emergency. Likewise, everything on R&A’s island that might escape control due to the whims of ice, wind or rising water—docks, boats, kayaks, paddleboards—is stenciled B26 so that, in the event of an unscheduled journey, it can be returned to its owners. I notice the stencil as I ease into a kayak in the glacial-hollowed slip between two rock bulges. I manoeuvre through a patch of wild rice to where A&R have climbed into their own

STAY WILD On the outer shoals of Georgian Bay. PHOTO BY LESLIE ANTHONY

24 OCTOBER 17, 2025

kayaks and we head west. It’s upwind, though the kayaks’ low-drag means it has no effect on our progress. We start out side-by-side, chatting, R, as always, tour guide, pointing out this and that, telling the story of an iconic stone arch she and her brother rebuilt on a small, treeless shoal after the original was washed over in a storm; though the arch’s provenance and purpose had long been lost to history, it had felt like a loss. After a while, chatter subsides as we each settle into the metronomic rhythm of paddling,

re-submerged by the ever-fluctuating level of Georgian Bay; the myriad stories in the rocks themselves, at waterline unobscured by the lichen, pine needles and blueberries higher up—granite and gneiss of the ancient shield, semiotic of a molten, Precambrian earth with its fissures, faults and layers bent like folded blankets and shot through with mineral intrusions of every colour. As A and I decide, a world always coalescing anew never seems to get old. The hand contracts back into parallel

After an hour of paddling the forest retreats as we reach the outer shoals that face the bay’s eternal whitecaps.

a quiescence of watching and thinking. Our boats, once a flotilla united by the energy of shared adventure, quietly stray, the fingers of a colourfully gloved hand spreading apart— orange to the left, yellow in the middle, red on the right—soon too distant for conversation. As many times as R&A have done this—virtually daily when they are here—I watch their curiosity and wonder with the terraqueous landscape rekindle anew. Perhaps because it is always renewing and modifying itself—a new beaver lodge here, a lightningstruck pine there; the marks of highwater, algae and winter ice etched on whaleback rocks, themselves polished and streaked by Pleistocene ice sheets and the subsequent flush of post-glacial waters; the multifarious islands, islets and shoals revealed and then

fingers as we steer into a new channel, skirting a peninsula on which sits a cabin some 85 years old. Beside us in the weedy bay, a northern pike lunges for a swimming frog. As long as my arm, the fish makes a full-body splash in its attempt, and I admire the fact that large as they are, these predatory machines have no issues venturing into such shallow water to hunt. Other than fishermen, they have nothing to fear. Not even the bald eagle that sat sentinel for hours on a longdead white pine across the bay from B26 last night could heft such a fish. Paddling these parts is a nonstop wildlife film. Over the years, R has texted me a steady stream of photos documenting their island’s denizens—turtles of all kinds, five-lined skinks scurrying across cracked

granite, Massassauga rattlesnakes basking in ground-hugging juniper; northern watersnakes and their live-born young sunning on the same rock day after day; and majestic eastern fox snakes, who show up in male-female pairs in late spring to search for rodents and any accessible bird nests, then treat themselves to a few relaxing days of digestion, draping along branches Amazon style, before disappearing for a summer of hunting through the archipelago. After an hour of paddling the forest retreats as we reach the outer shoals that face the bay’s eternal whitecaps. The bare rock here creates a unique ecosystem, its unique, ultra-compressed treeline governed not by a latitudinal thermocline but by constant wind, fluctuating water, and the scrape of ice. Is this an emergent or submergent landscape? Either way, the small depression pools and ground-out potholes here beyond the forest edge serve as footholds for aquatic plants and algae, and nurseries for insect larvae, leopard frog tadpoles, baby turtles and aquatic snails that can, in wet conditions, move overland; the pools are, in turn, hunted through by more mobile creatures like birds, snakes, diving beetles, waterstriders, dragonflies, and mink. Some potholes still contain the stones that ground them out, but most contain no evidence of what made them. There are even a couple on B26, filled with sediment and moss and grass and lilies that blossom purple in summer. A reminder that though we’ve travelled many kilometres through forested channels, B26 was itself once but a naked shoal at the edge of a newly coalescing world. Leslie Anthony is a biologist, writer and author of several popular books on environmental science. n

The Whistler Naturalists present

Fungus Among Us Mushroom Festival October 17-18th SOLD

OUT

Friday Night — In-Person Talks

Friday 7:00-8:30 pm. $15 (18 yrs and under $10) Legends Hotel, Creekside SOLD

OUT

Saturday Walks

Saturday 8:45 am till noon Various locations—choose online $40 (18 yrs and under $10)

Saturday Display Tables Saturday 2:30-4:00 pm Legends Hotel, Creekside By donation. Ticket not required. ALL WELCOME SOLD OUT

Forest to Table

Join Chef Bruce Worden to learn and taste some delicious ways to get the most from your foraging. Saturday 12:30 - 2 pm $50 Legends Hotel, Creekside

Advance tickets only. Available at:

www.whistlernaturalists.ca Dress to be extra warm and dry for walks. No dogs or collecting baskets please.

Share what you know and love about Whistler Connect with visitors Do fun and meaningful work in your community Receive great rewards To apply or receive more information, visit whistler.ca/villagehost or contact: Cathie Wood at cwood@whistler.ca or 604-935-8478 Apply by, November 3, 2025

OCTOBER 17, 2025

FEATURE STORY

Welcome to the e mpire of amazon s my adventures With breast cancer By Glenda Bartosh

it Was my cool, hipster hair stylist, Dylan, who first told

me that Amazons—you know, that empire of legendary women warriors and hunters in Greek mythology renowned for their agility, strength and combat skills—voluntarily sliced off one of their breasts so it wouldn’t interfere with their archery. I lit up when I heard that. His mom had had a double mastectomy years ago when he was young, and I was about to undergo something similar—full mastectomy on the left, and a lumpectomy or partial mastectomy on my right. Breast cancer. Once I got home, I grabbed my yellowing copy of Edith Hamilton’s classic, Mythology: Timeless Tales of Gods and Heroes. It describes Amazons invading Athens, and how the Argonauts avoided battling them. But no mention of breast removal—slicing or otherwise. And while Wikipedia casts doubt on the whole concept, since Amazons are always portrayed with both breasts, although one side is always covered, it also states that ancient Greeks said the word “Amazon” was derived from the Greek amazos, meaning “breastless.” (Wonder if Bezos knew that when he named his company.) I told Dylan that years ago I lived in San Diego, and would often head out to the desert with archery pals, where we’d use our beautiful wooden bows to shoot arrows at the sky, or anything inanimate. I’m right-handed so I often “twanged” my right breast. Ow! Plus it did interfere with my marksmanship. We both howled at that one, and now he’d given me this brilliant, strong imagery I could hang my star on. After all, who doesn’t want to be an Amazon?

qqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqq

“i had no preconceived notions.”

— Jane Goodall

As my pals will tell you, “Leftie” was my nickname for my left breast early in my cancer adventure. Totally unoriginal, but I liked the levity and innocence it lent my new overwhelming, medicalized world. I also thought of left fielders in baseball, my favourite team sport as a kid. The other side was Righty, of course, and the little white pad I got at my first post-op visit to stuff in my bra (I’d been using a sock) was a stuffy. Nothing new, all this nicknaming; several women have told me they did, too. Of course, at first I had no idea what I was getting into with all this. I’ve since branched out on several “fronts.” I discovered Knitted Knockers—way softer, cozier “stuffies” knitted by volunteers across Canada and beyond after Barbara Demorest, a Washington gal who’d had a mastectomy, spread the concept. At Nightingale Medical Supplies, I bought a mastectomy bra with special pockets for a stuffy. It sort of looks and feels like a sports bra, but I still use my old ones, too. Some days I don’t even wear a bra, like I used to. Depending on how I feel, I might add a scarf or vest. Leftie’s been gone a year now and, surprisingly, I haven’t been that upset. Some aspects I even like. For one, I can feel my own heartbeat way better through my chest wall, plus my revamped look reminds me of my body when I was a kid. But most important is when I check out my new Amazonian profile in the mirror, I’m fine with it. My scar looks like a modified Nike swoosh. Longer—maybe six inches long, including the little upturned curve under my armpit—but still an elegant swoop. It puckers when I bend, but overall it’s a dignified, well-proportioned result that wouldn’t stop me from modelling for a life-drawing class. As for Rightie, the scar is virtually invisible as the incision was made right around my nipple. I told Dr. Elaine McKevitt, my skilled surgeon at Providence Breast Centre in Vancouver, that she’s also a very good sculptor. (That remark after my many years at Emily Carr University of Art + Design.) Maybe there’s a new marketing opportunity here for Nike. But I bet it’s still a no-go zone given how much society still idealizes perfect female breasts, and how much about breast cancer is hidden. Sure, October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, which includes CIBC’s Run for the Cure. It’s covered in books, like Siddhartha Mukherjee’s thoughtful The Emperor of All Maladies: A Biography of Cancer, (available at your favourite library, including Whistler). And now with breast cancer on the rise, we’re seeing it more and more in good media, like Pique! And The Washington Post, which recently ran an excellent report about the increasing cancer rates in the U.S., including breast cancer, over 20 years, especially among millennials who are being diagnosed decades earlier than usual. Suspect causes include ultra-processed foods, synthetic chemicals and disruptions to our circadian rhythms. But generally, there’s still a big hang-up around any disease or affliction involving our traditional “naughty bits.” Like people have a much different attitude towards liver or lung disease than when something’s wrong with their penis or vagina. That goes double for female breasts—pun intended. They’re such huge cultural and sexual signifiers aimed at capturing the male gaze. And since they’re the focal point of so much obsession—size, shape, presentation, like practically everything to do with a woman’s body—anything “wrong” with them is relegated to a black hole. (Don’t get me started about “influencers” and how they push girls and women back into the Dark Ages by hyper-sexualizing body imagery.) Personally, I thought we’d gotten past all that in the ’60s with Friedan, Steinham, et al. Plus my breasts were always so small they never figured much in my identity and self-image, including when it came to breast reconstruction which I didn’t hesitate to turn down. I get why some women do it, but results are mixed. And at my age? Who needs it. Seems I’m not alone. Unbeknownst to me at the time, Sapiens reports there’s now a “flattie movement.” Bravo! The other big hang-up is North America itself. In Greece, ancient or otherwise, and scads of

26 OCTOBER 17, 2025

Living With breast cancer in a ski resort around WhistLer, aLison hunter is known for her many musical

contributions over the years—playing harp; teaching music; and conducting two iconic groups, Whistler Singers and the Children’s Chorus. She was even named Whistler’s 40th Citizen of the Year for all her community involvement. It’s also no secret Alison makes no secret about having a double mastectomy—the first back in 1994, and the second one five years ago. Given the time frame, she has a unique perspective on living with breast cancer, especially in the Sea to Sky, and doesn’t mind talking about it. “It’s just another part of your life,” she says in her typical down-to-earth way. She even recalls thinking yuk!, when she first got diagnosed. Alison was 35 at the time, with a lot on her plate including a career and three young daughters—Jennifer, Allyn and Verity. But friends and neighbours pitched in, like they do at Whistler, bringing over meals, organizing drivers to take her to her many medical appointments in the city, and generally doing whatever it took. “I remember we had 47 trays of lasagna in the freezer at one point! “ she says with a laugh. Alison has the BRCA2 gene, which carries a significant risk for breast cancer. Her father’s mother died of breast cancer in her 30s. “I first learned she had breast cancer in 1994 when I was nine,” daughter Jennifer Pringle explained via email. She lives in in Pemberton and works at BC Libraries Cooperative. “My parents sat us down and told all three of us together. “I remember it being scary, but being more scared of her getting in an accident or getting caught in a rock slide since she was driving up and down the highway so often for treatment. I think at that age the dangers of driving the highway were more real to me than the cancer.” As part of the process, they also participated in the Hereditary Cancer Program at BC Cancer. Genetic testing confirmed they all carry the BRCA2 gene. Ironically, Jennifer was 35, too, when she learned. But having grown up expecting breast cancer sometime in her future, getting tested—even testing positive—was a relief. “It removed the uncertainty. With annual screenings and preventive options, I now get to make informed choices about my health,” she noted. Alison’s GP, Dr. Danielle Patterson at Whistler 360 Health, offers women who’ve been diagnosed with breast cancer the opportunity to connect with a local breast cancer survivor so they can learn from someone with lived experience. Alison is a very good mentor, and so are her daughters from their perspectives. While Alison appreciates recent advances in treating breast cancer for people like her living at Whistler—especially getting remote care over Zoom, and chemo at Squamish or Lion’s Gate hospitals so you don’t have to drive over the bridge, which is huge—her best advice for prevention is timeless: Get regular mammograms, do self-exams, and check in with your doctor. The first part is easier now, too, since the breast-screening van visits Whistler, Pemberton and Squamish twice a year. As for getting through your treatment program, Alison has a little more light-hearted advice, and a cute story. One day when she wasn’t getting any service while trying to buy a barbecue at the old Woodward’s Oakridge, she whipped off the wig covering her chemo-induced bald head. “I got a lot of attention then!” she says. Overall, though, “retail therapy is wonderful. And have a good sense of humour.”

other places, attitudes are much more liberal towards anything sexual. So when I decided to try and lift the veil a bit on all this, I pitched Braden, my cool, thoughtful editor. I loved his reaction. “If it helps one person, it’s worth it,” he said. Everyone I’ve shared that story with was over the moon, especially women. For one, he said “person,” not “woman,” plus he was simply interested in the story. One of them even got teary-eyed. (BTW, men do get breast cancer, but they comprise less than one per cent of cases.) At BC Cancer Agency in Vancouver, where I’ll be a patient for the next 10 years or so, I had more supporters to go public. One was my medical oncologist, Dr. Stephen Chia, who has an impressive CV as long as my arm. He’s recognized around the world for excellence in breast cancer research, plus he heads up medical oncology at UBC and numerous scientific groups. Lately, he’s been studying rural versus urban communities in B.C. to better understand differences in breast cancer care and outcomes. Good chance places like Whistler, Squamish, and Pemberton will be part of the assessment. My radiology oncologist, Dr. Caoimhe (pronounced Queeva, which means “calm”) Byrne, another UBC prof, also encouraged me. And when I decided not to remove Righty, which showed cellular changes, she was just as positive. Now we have such better technology and knowledge to track cancer, she explained, women don’t have to go through a double mastectomy when a single will do. For instance, as Global News reports, Providence Breast Centre at Mount St. Joseph’s is the first B.C. hospital to use MOLLI magnetic seed technology. Developed in Ireland, Dr. Byrne’s homeland, it entails tiny, non-radioactive “seeds” and a magnetic wand to pinpoint the exact areas to be removed. Beyond their encouragement, I have nothing but respect and gratitude for these busy doctors, and the care and kindness they showed me. That also goes for all the other caregivers I met. I couldn’t have dreamt of a better landing. Which leads me to a caveat: This is my story. Nobody else’s. That’s especially true because throughout the process, it was clear that every medical decision was mine. Doctors shared their best advice, but it was up to me to decide. Sometimes that was unnerving, like when the little kid in me just wanted someone to tell me what to do. But mostly I appreciated it. So this isn’t some modelling exercise or medical primer. It’s simply my story. And the more I share it, the more I learn how many people I know who’ve been touched by breast cancer, either themselves or someone they know—and I had no idea. Good chance you’ve got someone in your circle like that, too. And every person who deals with breast cancer (or any cancer) has their own story given our

FEATURE STORY individual bodies, fears, strengths, weaknesses, support circles, medical teams—and the unique nature of our cancer. For that, each of us also gets our own unique treatment program. Question is, can any of us re-write any bits of our stories as they unfold, since none of us, cancer or not, knows what our ending will be till we’re there. Who knows? But then that’s the story of life, isn’t it?

qqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqq

“Life is… a chemicaL incident.”

— PauL ehrLich, the “father of immunoLogy,” as a schooLboy in 1870

I first felt the lump that would trigger my cancer adventure in spring 2024. Dense breasts, like mine, are more prone to cancer so regular self-exams and mammograms are even more critical. My care team and I had been checking them regularly, especially Leftie, since biopsies years earlier indicated cellular changes that might become cancerous. But I have to admit, we’d all gotten a bit lax, especially during COVID. This time, though, I’d been wearing a Holter monitor to check my heart, and once it came off—bingo. I felt a wee, tender lump just below my left armpit. What followed was a series of diagnostic mammograms and biopsies, starting at my favourite mammography clinic—X-Ray 505. It was founded by Dr. Linda Warren, another UBC professor of radiology, who has received many honours, including the Order of British Columbia, for her work embedding regular screening mammography into our health-care system. It’s been key in making B.C.’s breast cancer mortality rate one of the lowest in Canada.

qqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqq

What is cancer? I asked Dr. Chia at our first in-person visit after I’d already

looked up what a cancer expert he was. “Do you have a year and a half?” he replied. And I got it. Sometimes there’s a very simple definition of cancer, which is uncontrolled cell growth or spread, he later explained. Then there are complexities, like why can one individual’s breast cancer be so different from another’s in terms of treatment and outcome. “There are so many molecular details,” he says, “it can take a year and a half to explain it.” People have been trying to describe cancer for centuries. It used to be known as black bile, that stuff of old English literature. On its website, the Canadian Cancer Society states the following, which says more about the “how” of it than the “what” or “why”: “Breast cancer starts in the cells of the breast. A cancerous (malignant) tumour is a group of cancer cells that can grow into and destroy nearby tissue. It can also spread (metastasize) to other parts of the body.” In Canada, breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in women. According to Vancouver’s Providence Breast Centre, which performs about 1,200 breast cancer surgeries a year, breast cancer affects 2,800 women in B.C. annually. It results in about 600 deaths. The diagnosis is scary, and it scared me, too. Luckily, I’m not an anxious person (I’d have never been a journo if I was), so my fear and stress would come and go. But simple things— talking it out with hubbie or good friends; getting outside to hear birds; exercising; even a good book—would settle me down. Eat well, sleep well, stay positive, my doctors advise. In terms of getting sick, again, it’s complicated. The risk of getting cancer resides in us all. One doctor advised me not to get sick: A cold, flu or COVID stress our immune systems, which we need to keep the cancer down. Another pointed out that when we get sick, our immune systems “go up,” so it may not be a bad thing, either. But whether they activate or not against tumour cells, that’s another question. But stupid me! When I was first diagnosed and told a mastectomy was in the works, I couldn’t wait! “Great!” I said. “Let’s get that stuff out of there!” thinking that would be the end of it. What I didn’t get, even after doctors had said as much, was what a process, or journey, it would be—how many steps and procedures it would entail, each different for every one of us. (See Alison Hunter’s story, top left). Now I see it like some kind of detective story. A chemistry mystery. You do X, and a clue reveals Y. So you investigate Y, which might mean Z or A. And on it goes, maybe for the rest of my life.

qqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqq

“… a distorted version of our normaL seLves.”

— haroLd varmus, cancer researcher and nobeL Prize Winner

While your story might not include a mastectomy, mine did. All I can say is I was in for pre-op at Mount St. Joe’s at 9 a.m. and out at 5 p.m. A regular workday—with about an hour and a bit for the actual surgery. If you know the pain scale we patients are instructed in, where 0 is no pain and 10 the worst you can imagine, I jokingly told the nurses mine was -1. I’m not kidding, and I’m a wimp. “Don’t lie around when you get home,” they admonished as I happily left with my prescription for extra-strength Tylenol and a 32-page guide to breast surgery. “Even if you just walk around the house.” And I did. Maybe it was the drugs or my elation at finally getting “it” out, but the

OCTOBER 17, 2025

FEATURE STORY next day was so warm and sunny, I walked to Stanley Park to soak it all in and celebrate. Here’s the thing, as my GP pointed out. A mastectomy is like cutting off a cow’s udder. I liked that metaphor; you might not. Her point was that our breasts are outside our abdomens, so nobody has to cut through our abdominal wall. Given that, instead of a general anesthetic, which I hate, I opted for a paravertebral block. The anesthesiologist explained that he injects the anesthetic into hollow spaces next to (“para”) your spine (“vertebral”), where nerves to the surgical site pass. They pick up the chemical, and you pick up no pain. Wow! What a great alternative. Once you get over the post-op phase—mine entailed visits to a community clinic, and Zoom sessions, to take care of bandage changes and the annoying-but-vital JP drain that gathers fluids— there’s maybe radiation or chemo. In my case radiation wasn’t on the agenda, but chemo was. And that entailed the toughest decision of my life. I was borderline. The excision of the cancer from my breast tissue removed (652 grams—amazing for such a wee breast!) showed stage 1 cancer, meaning it hadn’t spread beyond Leftie. Even the single lymph node Dr. McKevitt excised, a sentinel lymph node, was cancer-free. (Love that name; a lymph node standing on guard for me!) The grade, which predicts how fast it will grow and how likely it is to spread, was grade 2, out of 3. But overall, my total risk factor for it metastasizing, or spreading to another part of my body, is low to moderate. For me, it’s 3 L’s: liver, lung, lymphs; and 2 B’s: brain and bones—all likely sites with my type of cancer. (Canadian Cancer Society’s website has lots of good info and stats.) Another thing the tests on my cancer cells revealed was an oncotype result. Mine was 31, surprisingly high, my oncologist noted. BC Cancer typically recommends chemo for oncotypes 31 or higher, and for those 26 to 30, it’s a discussion. Yikes! What a tough situation, and I had three weeks to decide. I did as much research as I could muster, with as many good, thoughtful friends and professional sources as I could think of—mainly my oncologist. The potential downsides were carefully laid out by BC Cancer, as were all known risks and potential side effects along the way. And for my proposed chemo, some were pretty serious, especially given my other health issues. Finally I decided the risks outweighed potential benefits, and I just said no. Thank you. My oncologist got it. But it was tough. Hubbie and I vacillated. One day, we felt fine if I took chemo. Next day we felt fine if I didn’t. A good pal in the business world guided me through a chemo risk/benefit analysis. Another thoughtful friend had practised medicine and psychiatry in Japan, which has its own parameters, so she shared her unique perspectives. Another pal, who had breast cancer in her family and opted years ago for a pre-emptive double mastectomy, told me her tale. All that connection and input was useful. Still is. Like I said, this whole thing is a process, a journey. I’ll be seeing Dr. Chia every six months for the next five years, plus I’m getting one more MRI for Righty, with regular mammograms after that. My type of breast cancer is

estrogen-driven, so to repress it I’ve tried letrozole, exemestane, and tamoxifen. I still haven’t found an estrogen- or aromataseinhibitor I can tolerate, but I’m about to start anastrozole. If anyone’s taken it, give me a shout. I’m always open to more stories. Meanwhile, I feel happy and healthy, and pretty much my old self these days. I eat well, exercise, write articles like this. I’m even tempted to sign up for Abreast in a Boat, a dragon boat team started by UBC kinesiology expert, Dr. Don Mckenzie, three decades ago for breast cancer survivors. (Repetitive, intense upper body exercise is good for us!) In my head, I often hear Dr. Chia’s mantra, “Stay positive.” It echoes another little saying I tell myself: “Worry—a misuse of the imagination.” Since nobody knows the future, you might as well make up something good coming down the pike, rather than something bad. And here’s an interesting thought from the American poet and physician steeped in modernism and imagism, William Carlos Williams. I discovered it in The Emperor of All Maladies: “If a man die, it is because death has first possessed his imagination.” Here’s to imagining a good life— Amazon-style. Glenda Bartosh is an award-winning journalist, former owner of the Whistler Question community newspaper, and founder of Whistler’s arts council. n

PHOTO SUBMITTED

212 - 2059 LAKE PLACID RD, WHISTLER BC  $1,400,000 122 West  Furniture, Decor and Design A rare opportunity to acquire one of Whistler’s most established home and lifestyle businesses with strong branding, a loyal customer base, and consistent profitability.

25 OCTOBER

Located in Whistler’s Creekside, this offering includes the assignment of a commercial lease with leasehold improvements, display infrastructure, equipment, vehicle and technology assets, warehouse, security systems, and approximately $250,000 in inventory. The business delivers stable year-over-year performance supported by refined operational systems.

The store features professionally designed interiors with custom millwork, integrated lighting, and natural light, creating an elevated retail environment. All furnishings, fixtures, and systems are included, and the current owners are committed to supporting a seamless transition. An exceptional opportunity for an investor, operator, or design-minded entrepreneur to acquire a proven and scalable business in one of Whistler’s most desirable settings.

Advanced Stop-Motion Animation Workshop Saturday, October 25 10:00am - 2:00pm Ever wondered how professional stop-motion characters stay steady while moving frame by frame? In this hands-on workshop, participants will create their own stopmotion puppet using aluminum wire and epoxy putty. This workshop is perfect for young animators who want to go beyond simple figures and build custom characters from the inside out. Ages 8+ (experience recommended).

Registration open! Learn more and register at audainartmuseum.com

28 OCTOBER 17, 2025

WWW.WHISTLERLAWYER.CA adam@whistlerlawyer.ca | 604.905.5180

Join us for the Whistler Seniors Expo! SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 1ST, 2025 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM

Myrtle Philip Community School 6195 Lorimer Rd., Whistler

• CONNECT • LEARN • SUPPORT

Learn More

PRESENTERS CLAIRE MOZES,

CEO Whistler Community Foundation Claire brings a wealth of experience centered in local non-profits to Whistler Community Foundation. Claire works from a positive, solution focused perspective and is driven to find ways to balance community needs with available resources. Like most people in Whistler her passions include getting outside and enjoying the mountains, lakes and trails alongside her friends and family.

DAVID SWEENEY,

CFP®, CIM® Senior Wealth Advisor, Sweeney Bride Strategic Wealth Advisory Dave Sweeney is a Senior Wealth Advisor at Wellington-Altus Private Wealth and co-founder of the Sweeney Bride Strategic Wealth Advisory Team with over 35 years experience in the industry. Dave holds the Chartered Investment Manager (CIM®), CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER®, and Elder Planning Counselor (EPC) designations and is also insurance licensed.

The Whistler Senior Expo is a vibrant event showcasing a variety of products and services specifically for seniors. Attend our informative breakout sessions to hear from professionals on timely topics. Connect with your community, enjoy light refreshments, and have fun as you explore and learn. Mark your calendar and bring a friend!

SPORTS THE SCORE

‘That was the run of my life’: Jackson Goldstone locks down World Cup downhill overall with Mont-Sainte-Anne triumph GRACEY HEMSTREET FINISHES SECOND OVERALL, WALKS AWAY FROM DRAMATIC CRASH

BY DAVID SONG TAKE A BOW, Jackson Goldstone: you are the 2025 UCI World Cup downhill overall king. Goldstone more or less incinerated the course in Mont-Sainte-Anne, Que. on Saturday, Oct. 11: opening a gap of more than two seconds on the field (3:30.096). Runnerup Luca Shaw (3:32.340) hung on to beat third-placer Andreas Kolb (3:32.341) by an infinitesimal margin. The commanding victory boosted Goldstone past Loïc Bruni and into top spot overall with 1,946 points. Bruni (1,768) surprised fans and peers alike by declining to race after a training accident left him with a compromised thigh, but he still ends up ahead of Shaw (1,366) in the yearlong rankings. “I’m completely speechless. That was the run of my life,” Goldstone said in a press release. “I knew I had to give it absolutely everything, it wasn’t pretty, I was making so many mistakes and getting super sketchy. The crowd were so amazing and cheered me on every step of the way. It didn’t feel quite right not battling with Loïc [Bruni] and I have no clue what happened. “It’s not the way I wanted to win. I was

CUP FLOWETH OVER Jackson Goldstone won the World Cup downhill overall by prevailing in MontSainte-Anne, Que. on Oct. 11. PHOTO COURTESY OF UCI

30 OCTOBER 17, 2025

hoping it [would] be a good fight right to the bottom, but we got it done at the end of the day.” Drama likewise abounded in the women’s elite contest. Gracey Hemstreet crashed spectacularly into a group of trackside viewers just metres from the line, Valentina Höll’s front tire flatted and Tahnée Seagrave withdrew from qualifying with a back injury. That left Marine Cabirou to win (4:01.617) ahead of Nina Hoffmann (4:02.333) and Myriam Nicole (4:03.913) in that order. Hemstreet explained during a social media interview with UCI: “I definitely had a couple of close calls up top and I knew I

remarkable. At just 21 years old, he won a World Championship and matched Aaron Gwin’s record of four straight World Cup triumphs in a single year—but an off day or an excellent run by Bruni could still have denied him the overall title. Mont-Sainte-Anne’s rock gardens were frightful, gutting Martin Maes’ and Ronan Dunne’s tires while causing Lachlan Stevens-McNab to wipe out. Kolb managed to conquer them with aplomb, however, remaining in the hot seat until Goldstone worked magic. The young Squamolian fired up his afterburners, battling through tree-dotted

“I knew I had to give it absolutely everything...” - JACKSON GOLDSTONE

wasn’t on the winning pace … I don’t know, I just lost control on the last jump here and ended up in the crowd. I’m happy to be up and walking.” Nonetheless, Höll went home with the season aggregate (2,139) as Hemstreet remained in second (1,727) and Seagrave occupied third (1,604).

‘I HARDLY GOT ANY SLEEP’

Goldstone’s season has been nothing short of

terrain and flying over rocks in a manner that wowed those in attendance. Shaw proved unable to equal Goldstone’s daredevilry, at which point all eyes turned to the gate for Bruni. Yet the scheduled final rider never dropped in, and his team Specialized Gravity later broke news of his ailment. “I hardly got any sleep last night,” Goldstone quipped after the event. “I was staring at the roof for two hours as my mind was racing. I just had to try and focus on

myself. It was quite testing for me. “I hope Loïc is alright. It was such a good battle with him this year, he’s someone I’ve looked up to my whole career and what an amazing rival to compete with. It’s such a cool and friendly rivalry we’ve got and we’ll be battling again next year.”

BREAKTHROUGH IN QUEBEC

Sacha Earnest rode to an early lead, then joined everyone else in watching Höll’s and Hemstreet’s outings get truncated by misfortune. Höll in particular was 6.5 seconds up on the field before her equipment gave up. Cabirou ultimately repeated as MontSainte-Anne champion, building speed through the track’s lower stretches to knock Earnest off her perch. Hoffmann, Goldstone’s Santa Cruz Syndicate teammate, fell just short of the French athlete’s time and Nicole rounded out the podium. “I’m happy to take the win [on Saturday], it’s incredible,” Cabirou told reporters. “I tried my best the whole week to have a good result today, as last week was not very good for me. I have had some good races and some really bad. “I couldn’t have hoped for a better race to end the season. I made some mistakes during my qualification run and I wasn’t too happy … I knew I had more in the bag so I just focused on myself and tried to give the best I could. I’m really happy to get my 11th win here, I love this track and this crowd.” n

SPORTS THE SCORE

JOIN US FOR ALL THE NFL GAMES

on Thursday night, Sunday all day, and Monday night Volume on games! Food and Drink Specials Free parking and WIFI PACKED HOUSE People gathered at the Garibaldi Lift Co. for the 2024 iF3 opening night. PHOTO BY OISIN MCHUGH

2025 International Freesports Film Festival to showcase an unprecedented 130-plus movies THE RESPECTED SNOWSPORTS CULTURE EVENT RUNS FROM OCT. 15 TO 18 IN WHISTLER

BY DAVID SONG THE SKI AND SNOWBOARD movie industry looks to be in good shape if this month’s International Freesports Film Festival (iF3) is any sign of health. 133 films have been submitted—more than any previous iF3 had to offer. Wellknown contenders abound in this year’s list of award nominees: Jeff Thomas, Matchstick Productions, the North Face, Red Point Movie and Burton x Red Bull Media House, to name a few. Event director Mark Warner opines that a mix of ubiquitous technology and generational turnover have contributed to this apparent boom in filmmaking. “You’ve got GoPros, Insta360s and the editing software … [these] have made things much more accessible,” he said. “It could also just be a new generation stepping in with a lot more energy. When COVID shut everything down, it was almost like a circuit breaker in my opinion, but in the last three or four years of iF3 and Whistler specifically: I’ve seen a lot of young, enthusiastic and creative skiers and snowboarders.” It’s not just Olympic and world-level talents like Darcy Sharpe, Mac Forehand, Arianna Tricomi and Zoi Sadowski-Synnott driving progression—although each of them is in contention for various Skier and Snowboarder of the Year Awards. It’s also a bevy of outstanding cinematographers and outside-the-box storytellers who make iF3 one of the industry’s premier awards shows. “You don’t necessarily have to have the greatest skier in a film in order for it to be really good,” Warner remarked. “There are amateur filmmakers who have witnessed all these years of people like Scott Gaffney and Jeff Thomas, just to name two—and they see them as heroes the same way an up-and-coming skier or snowboarder sees Olympic champions. “Some of those [amateur] films, they could compete for pro just as well. There’s some

really, really talented people just starting to make their name and I think they are inspired by the people that came before them.”

CELEBRATION OF TALENT

Each day of iF3 has something to offer, from a star-studded launch party to the Whistler premiere of After the Snowfall, an anticipated new release from Matchstick Productions. Female creators may premiere their stuff at any point in the festival, but the recurring all-girls night remains popular with most because it grants them an opportunity to network and form new relationships. Warner and his team strive to make every session a crowd-pleasing, can’t-miss event, but the calendar inevitably builds up towards a rousing finale consisting of an awards gala and local premiere of Blank Collective Films’ Cold Calls. “We have a couple of matinees at the Maury Young [Arts Centre] during the Saturday, so we can fit in more films … they’re a little bit more family friendly too,” said Warner. “An October afternoon is usually pretty cold, and there’s a good chance it’ll be cold and wet. Great opportunity to get the kids out. “Then the award show: last year’s best gets celebrated with everybody in the industry this year. Everybody who was nominated obviously gets recognition. The winners, of course, stand above the rest, but really it’s just to celebrate. Hopefully the awards inspire people to want to get out there and start filming, you know? Maybe it gives them a little bit of reassurance that they’re doing the right thing. The people that run the festival here love skiing and snowboarding, and we do this because we love it.” Matinee screenings take place on Oct. 18 at 10:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. Award nominees hit the red carpet at 4:15 p.m., followed by the awards themselves at 5:30 p.m. and screenings at 7:15 p.m. and 9:15 p.m. Visit festivalif3.com/en/calendar for more details on these events and the rest of the iF3 schedule. n

DIVORCE LAWYER

SEPARATION ADVICE

• Contested and Uncontested Divorce

• Asset and Property Division

• Parenting Arrangements

• Child and Spousal Support

• Court Applications

• Separation Agreements

We can also help with

Marriage Agreements (often called pre-nuptials) and Cohabitation Agreements.

KARIN EMOND

332-4370 Lorimer Road Whistler Tel: 604-932-3211 k.emond@raceandco.com

RACEANDCOMPANY.COM

Hans-Werner Kögler April 29, 1944 – September 5, 2025

Hans was born in East Germany, where he spent his youth exploring the outdoors. As an adult, seeking freedom, he and his wife Margaret joined the East German Merchant Navy to escape the regime, eventually immigrating to Canada. After a visit to Whistler in 1966, they settled there soon after, first managing the Tyrol Lodge before Hans built their family home in Alpine in 1975.

A self-taught builder, Hans made construction his life’s work, leaving a legacy of homes throughout Whistler. Known for his warmth, wisdom, and sense of adventure, he formed lasting friendships with neighbours, clients, and many of his late daughter Karen’s friends. Whether sharing stories from his remarkable life or travels, conversations with Hans made you want to be better — he was sharp, thoughtful, a great listener, and left you wanting more. Hence his many, many friends of various ages! Hans was a beloved husband, father, friend, and a true Whistler icon. A gathering to celebrate his life will be held in the spring. To be contacted or to share memories, please email sarajennings@hotmail.com.

OCTOBER 17, 2025

FORK IN THE ROAD

Pick a patch of pumpkins—and their healthy orange companions LUCKY SEA TO SKY IN OCTOBER HAS NO SHORTAGE OF HARVEST-TIME MAGIC WHISTLERITES ARE SO LUCKY these golden days of autumn. Well, they’re pretty much lucky anytime, but this year, with pumpkin-less fields far and wide largely due to drought ushered in by the climate crisis, they’re especially lucky since they can take their pick of incredible pumpkin offerings

BY GLENDA BARTOSH throughout Sea to Sky. Wander the Grand Majestic Pumpkin Patch of Pemberton “to find your perfect pumpkin match” at Laughing Crow Organic Farm/The Beer Farmers on Pemberton Meadows Road. Kind of like speed dating, only way more fun and the whole family can join in. With 10 varieties of pumpkins for the picking along with those gorgeous views of the fall-coloured valley and Mount Currie, it’s hard to beat—all on the farm the Miller family started 120 years and four generations ago. Down the road, North Arm Farm’s pumpkin patch is bursting with those magical orange globes in an equally beautiful setting. Wander out in the U-Pick patch, or chose one on offer in the big wooden barn. And if you hit a weekend, you can enjoy a wagon ride, too. At the south end of Sea to Sky, check out the festive Pumpkin Patch at the beautiful— and fragrant—Lavendale Farm in Garibaldi Highlands, just north of Squamish, where they specialize in lavender. All in all, an assortment of festive offerings that make you

FUN FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY Pumpkins are loaded with “scary-good nutrients,” according to the Mayo Clinic. PHOTO BY KALI9 / E+ / GETTY IMAGES

32 OCTOBER 17, 2025

wonder why we don’t have Thanksgiving and Halloween every month of the year. And the goodness doesn’t stop there. Harvest time on our local farms means all kinds of squashes, beets, yams and other deeply coloured veggies with a big health impact are all on offer. So once you bring your beautiful orange pumpkin home, the good times are just beginning.

ORANGE YOU GLAD WE HAVE FALL?

Marching in lock-step this time of year with the deep gold and orange leaves flitting about our heads come the deep gold and orange veggies packed with vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, fibre—and deep flavour. The key to all this healthy orange-ness (and here I’m quoting food scientist Harold

carotene comes into play) as well as the slowing of cataracts and macular degeneration. So after you’re done with the fun side of your pumpkin, eat up, my friends! They’re loaded with “scary-good nutrients” according to the Mayo Clinic. And it’s largely linked to that bright orange colour derived from betacarotene, an antioxidant and precursor to vitamin A—meaning it’s converted to vitamin A in the body. Along with being an excellent source of vitamin A—which helps to preserve vision, fight infections, maintain healthy skin and bones, and regulate cell growth and division—pumpkin is also low in calories and a great source of fibre. Then don’t forget about those orange yams we all tend to cook at Thanksgiving and Christmas then quickly forget about the rest of the year. They should be on your dinner table once a week. Besides all the beta-carotene and

Harvest time on our local farms means all kinds of squashes, beets, yams and other deeply coloured veggies with a big health impact are all on offer. McGee’s On Food and Cooking) are yellow, red and, of course, orange carotenoids—an “extended family” of chemicals so-named as the first chemically isolated ones came from carrots. These interesting pigments absorb blue and green wavelengths and produce most of the yellow and orange colours in fruits and veggies as well as the red in produce like tomatoes and chilies. Pumpkins, along with carrots, yams, other orange veggies (and, surprisingly, green ones too), are loaded with carotenoids linked to protective, antioxidant–type functions, including reducing DNA damage and the development of cancer (that’s where beta-

fibre, one serving delivers about a quarter of your daily vitamin C and your manganese and potassium needs as well as lots of other vitamins and minerals. Plus all those other gorgeous orange squashes at our local farms make it onto those “world’s healthiest foods” lists for a reason. One serving of butternut squash alone delivers about a quarter of your vitamin C and fibre needs, and they’re loaded with antioxidants and vitamin A as well—about 450 per cent of your daily requirement for the latter, a brilliant way to beat the dull light this time of year since vitamin A is so good for your eyesight.

SEEDING SOME GOOD, RELAXING IDEAS

As for the pumpkin and squash seeds you find inside your orange globes—what free treasure! Simply scrape them out and roast them lightly on a cookie sheet for about 20 minutes in a slow oven (about 200 degrees). They’re loaded with nutrients, too, including magnesium that’s so beneficial for your heart and countering asthma, diabetes and osteoporosis; and zinc for a strong immune system. Pumpkin seeds are also rich in tryptophan, that nice relaxing amino acid also found in turkey which everyone got so excited about when we first learned that’s what makes us sleepy after a big turkey dinner. And here you thought it was just because you ate too much! My mom is the queen of all things pumpkin, and she doesn’t even wait for autumn to dig in. “Pumpkin’s wonderful,” she says, and you can quote her on that. It’s good in muffins, loaves, pumpkin cookies, pumpkin bread—the list goes on. Keep in mind that all those rejected orphan pumpkins no one carries home to carve often get smooshed into the tinned stuff this time of year, so a big can of pumpkin puree will cost you next to nothing. Besides a simple slab of roasted pumpkin with a bit of butter and cinnamon or nutmeg, pumpkin muffins and loaves are delicious. But my fave is still a good pumpkin pie, which, like yams, shouldn’t be relegated to Thanksgiving alone. If you cut yourself a slice with about a cup of pumpkin filling in it, you’re also getting about twice your daily requirement of vitamin A; tons of fibre and vitamin C; and more potassium than the legendary banana that’s so good for topping up with after a workout; Pretty much health food, when you think about it! Glenda Bartosh is an award-winning journalist who always looks forward to this golden time of year. n

MEADOW PARK SPORTS CENTRE SWIM • SKATE • SWEAT • SQUASH OPEN DAILY: 6 a.m. to 9 p.m.

FITNESS CLASS SCHEDULE OCT 17 FRIDAY

OCT 18 SATURDAY

I Strength in Play 7:30-8:30 a.m. Anna I Functional Strength & Conditioning 9-10 a.m. Anna

OCT 19 SUNDAY

OCT 20 MONDAY

OCT 21 TUESDAY

OCT 22 WEDNESDAY

OCT 23 THURSDAY

I Strength & Stability 7:30-8:30 a.m. Lauren

I Mountain Ready Conditioning 7:30-8:30 a.m. Steve

R Mountain Lift + Conditioning 6:15-7:15 a.m. Carly/Sara

I Strength & Cardio 7:30-8:30 a.m. Lou

R Mountain Lift + Conditioning 6:15-7:15 a.m. Carly

I Low Impact R Youth on Strength Weights 9-10 a.m. 9-10:15 a.m. Lauren

I Yin & Yang Yoga 9-10 a.m. Heidi

I Low Impact I Strength & Strength Stability 7:30-8:30 a.m. 9-10 a.m. Andy Lou

I Functional Strength & Conditioning 7:30-8:30 a.m. Sylvie

R Fit 4 Life 12:30-1:30 p.m. Steve

I Aqua Fit Deep End 8:45-9:45 a.m. Marie-Anne

R Mom & Baby 10:30-11:30 a.m. Lou

I Aqua Fit Shallow End 8:45-9:45 a.m. Marie-Anne

I Cardio Circuit 9-10 a.m. Andy

I Gentle Fit 12:30-1:30 p.m. Steve

I Mountain Ready Conditioning 9-10 a.m. Sylvie

I Zumba 10:30-11:30 a.m. Carmen I Gentle Fit 12:30-1:30 p.m. Andy

R Postpartum R Youth on Core & Glutes Weights 10:30-11:30 a.m. 3:30-4:45 p.m. Sara

R Enduro Swim 10-11 a.m. Hector

R Prenatal Fitness 12:15-1:15 p.m. Sara

R Lift Club 3:45-4:45 p.m. Steve

R The M Class 10:30-11:30 a.m. Mel K

I Full Body HIIT 5:15-6:15 p.m. Andy

R Intro to Lifting 12:15-1 p.m. Julia

F Spin 6-7 p.m. Courtney

R Girls Strength Club 3:45-4:45 p.m. Julia

I Zumba 6:30-7:30 p.m. Carmen

F Yoga: Core Fusion 5:15-6:15 p.m. Heidi

R Stride Forward 5:15-6:15 p.m. Julia F FLEXIBLE REGISTRATION

F Spin 6-7 p.m. Courtney

R REGISTERED FITNESS Registered fitness classes have a separate fee and a defined start and end date. Pre-registration is required for the entire set of classes.

I Strength in Play 6:30-7:30 p.m. Anna

Flex-reg’ classes have a separate fee and allow you to register for classes on the days that fit your schedule.

I TRX Mixer 5:30-6:30 p.m. Marie-Anne

I Mountain Ready Conditioning 6:30-7:30 p.m. Carly

I INCLUDED FITNESS These classes are included with your price of admission for no extra charge.

POOL HOURS OCT 17 FRIDAY

OCT 18 SATURDAY

OCT 19 SUNDAY

OCT 20 MONDAY

OCT 21 TUESDAY

OCT 22 OCT 23 WEDNESDAY THURSDAY

LAP POOL

6 a.m. - 3:45 p.m. & 6 - 9 p.m.

6 a.m. - 1 p.m. & 7:15 - 9 p.m.

6 a.m. - 9 p.m.

6 a.m. - 3:45 p.m. & 6 - 9 p.m.

6 a.m. - 9 p.m.

6 a.m. - 3:45 p.m. & 6 - 9 p.m.

6 a.m. - 9 p.m.

LEISURE POOL

9 a.m. - 12 p.m. & 3:45 - 7 p.m.

9 a.m. - 1 p.m.

9 a.m. - 7 p.m.

9 a.m. - 12 p.m. & 3:45 - 7 p.m.

HOT SPOTS

6 a.m. - 9 p.m.

6 a.m. - 1 p.m. & 7:15-9 p.m.

6 a.m. - 9 p.m.

ARENA SCHEDULE Please see whistler.ca/recreation for the daily arena hours or call 604-935- PLAY (7529).

whistler.ca/recreation |

@RMOWRecreation | 604-935-PLAY (7529)

ARTS SCENE

$100 & Under Exhibition now live at the Point Artist-Run Centre THE SHOW RUNS UNTIL NOV. 2 AS PART OF WHISTLER’S 50TH-ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATIONS

BY DAVID SONG ART DOES NOT ALWAYS feel like an accessible medium. Not everyone can afford to spend big-time money purchasing high-end paintings from major galleries, while some creators may be intimidated by the notion of unveiling their work before the general public. To assuage both issues, the Point ArtistRun Centre (PARC) is operating its new $100 and Under Exhibition: a diverse showcase of local art where every piece costs no more than—you guessed it—$100. It is operating to help celebrate Whistler’s 50th anniversary. The show accepted more than 120 submissions, nearly half of which were sold on Oct. 4 at an opening reception featuring the Whistler Cowboy Jazz Trio as live entertainment. However, plenty of other options remain available. “It’s our first time doing this show, and it’s something a little bit different from the previous art exhibitions we’ve done [because this] really reaches out to the community broadly,” explains PARC director Stephen Vogler. “We can include a lot more different

ACCESSIBLE ART Local Sea to Sky artworks at the 2025 Point Artist-Run Centre $100 and Under exhibit. PHOTO COURTESY OF STEPHEN VOGLER

34 OCTOBER 17, 2025

artists than we normally can in an exhibit … artists who are maybe emerging, or artists who have some smaller works kicking around. It also allows people who don’t have a few hundred or a few thousand dollars of disposable income to enjoy the work and quite easily take one home.” Three Sea to Sky locals, Cassie Dickinson, Nina Moore and Lacey Jane Wilburn, have been the driving force behind $100 and Under. All are dedicated

perceived is such a subjective experience. “It can be really high-pressure, and I think we just wanted to eliminate that element. This show in particular is a really great way for people to [share their work] for the first time.”

‘THE POINT OF IT ALL’

The PARC team has already received much positive feedback about $100 and Under, with several testimonies emerging from the opening

“This show in particular is a really great way for people to [share their work] for the first time.” - CASSIE DICKINSON

artists who want to establish welcoming spaces highlighting creators of all skill and experience levels. “We all understand the different struggles that come with sharing something vulnerable like your art,” says Dickinson. “You’re kind of baring your soul when you show your art to people you know and trust … let alone strangers. Maybe people won’t understand you or the piece the way that you want it to be perceived—the way art is meant to be

reception alone. For example: Dickinson knows a woman who has visited the PARC for more than 30 years, but has never attempted to display or sell her art. This individual dropped off half a dozen pieces at the last minute, fearing none of them would attract a buyer. On Oct. 4, she arrived late to find that—despite her pre-show nerves—three of her works had already been purchased with a fourth going before night’s end.

“I just felt so content that we could share that experience with her, and that’s the point of it all, right?” Dickinson remarks. “Even though it might not be for a lot of money, it’s not really about the money in this case. It’s about being able to share your art. We were so grateful to have so many people who told us stories about how [they’ve] always been afraid to show [their] art somewhere, and they ended up selling a few pieces.” Generally speaking, the PARC takes 25 per cent of revenue from each artwork sold at its events, but at $100 and Under creators may choose to donate 25, 50, 75 or 100 per cent of their sales to help support PARC activities. One specific piece elicited a generous donation and was later auctioned off for $500. Dickinson appreciates both the fundraising and community-friendly aspects of the exhibit. “It can be unaffordable to purchase art made by local artists,” she admits. “Maybe you want to send something home to somebody who lives across the world … something that makes you think of Whistler. Maybe you don’t want to just purchase from a tourist shop, you want to potentially meet the person who made the art. The affordability aspect [of $100 and Under] is great for people who want to decorate their homes.” Sea to Sky residents and visitors have until Nov. 2 to check out $100 and Under. Visit thepointartists.com/events/100-and-underart-exhibition-for-whistlers-50th for more. n

ARTS SCENE

$43 $ 43 F FOUR OUR C COURSE OURSE M MENU ENU Available Nightly Available Nightly from from 5pm 5pm Complimentary Complimentary Underground Underground Parking Parking SCAN FOR MENU + TO BOOK

4005 Whistler Way | 604.962.2233 | wildbluerestaurant.com | @wildbluerestaurant

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

SPELLBOUND Silvia Moreno-Garcia appears at the Whistler Writers Festival in The Bewitching, a Night of Spellcraft and Suspense, moderated by Jeanette Bruce on Nov. 1.

ELECTORAL AREA D

PHOTO COURTESY OF THE WHISTLER WRITERS FESTIVAL

Book review: The Bewitching by Silvia Moreno-Garcia BY ALLI VAIL THIS IS IT— the book dark academia aficionados have been waiting for. Fantasy-horror, Mexican-Canadian author Silvia Moreno-Garcia’s new book—The Bewitching—goes full dark academia, which is probably what everyone has been waiting for all along. She’s written gothic (heavy on the gothic) romances, explored stories of vampires with unusual dogs, did a whole novel about a cursed film set in the ’90s, had a woman-centred take on Doctor Moreau, and crafted a book about a Mayan god of death. Dark academia almost feels inevitable. Moreno-Garcia’s latest novel moves between alternating timelines from the point of view of three different women who are just beginning to find their way in the world. They are isolated by their communities, societal expectations and their own idiosyncrasies. We’ve got Minerva, a Mexican college student studying in the United States at the same school as her literary hero, Beatrice Tremblay. We have Beatrice herself, who is recording the disappearance of her close friend decades before at the same school. Hers is the only story in first person because it is her written account of what happened. Or what she guesses happened to her missing friend, who vanished one night and was never heard from again. Lastly, we have Alba, a young woman living in rural Mexico in 1908. These three women, despite their differences in temperament, time and character, are all being stalked by a menacing force. Witchcraft. (Who had witches on their Silvia Moren-Garcia bingo card? Absolutely!). As in the author’s 2023 Silver Nitrate, part of this book is set in the ’90s and I suspect Moreno-Garcia had fun slipping in little slivers of nostalgia via band references

(Minerva listens to Babes in Toyland and the Cardigans, among other throwbacks). Given the setting, cellphones and the internet take a back seat, and Minerva spends a lot of time in libraries doing research. As she studies Tremblay’s life for her thesis, she begins to see parallels to what happened to her Nana Alba in 1908. Then things start to happen to her. Strange lights. Lines painted on doors. Being followed. There’s something out there, and it’s coming for her next. The Bewitching builds slowly to make space for each of the timelines and to allow their focal characters to develop. Each mystery builds with a grotesque death and disappearance and becomes more menacing as the characters start to question their own perspectives and how much they can trust the people around them. Moreno-Garcia is the author of Mexican Gothic, a hugely popular novel on BookTok and Instagram that has more than 400,000 ratings and nearly 60,000 reviews on GoodReads. She is the author of 11 novels and has also edited several anthologies, including the World Fantasy Award–winning She Walks in Shadows (a.k.a. Cthulhu’s Daughters). Moreno-Garcia appears at the Whistler Writers Festival in The Bewitching, A Night of Spellcraft and Suspense, moderated by Jeanette Bruce, on Nov. 1. Tickets for the fest are available at whistlerwritersfest.com. Silvia Moreno-Garcia is the author of The Bewitching and Mexican Gothic. She has also edited several anthologies, including the World Fantasy Award–winning She Walks in Shadows (a.k.a. Cthulhu’s Daughters). She has been nominated for the Locus Award for her work as an editor and has won the British Fantasy Award and the Locus Award for her work as a novelist. Alli Vail is the author of Brooklyn Thomas Isn’t Here. She is also the marketing manager for the Whistler Writers Festival. n

Public Notice is hereby given in accordance with Section 466 of the Local Government Act that an electronic Public Hearing will be held regarding the following bylaws: 1. Squamish-Lillooet Regional District Electoral Area D Zoning Bylaw No. 1350-2016, Amendment Bylaw No. 1915-2025 2. Squamish-Lillooet Regional District Electoral Area D Official Community Plan Bylaw No. 1135-2013, Amendment Bylaw No. 1916-2025 Purpose of Bylaw No. 1915-2025 and 1916-2025 As a result of changes to the Agricultural Land Commission Act (ALCA) and Agricultural Land Reserve Use and General Regulation (ALR Use Regulation), the SLRD needs to update zoning bylaws to be in alignment with the Provincial regulatory framework. Zoning Amendment Bylaw No. 1915-2025 seeks to incorporate these necessary changes into the Electoral Area D Zoning Bylaw. The proposed changes reflect the approach implemented in Electoral Area C and are aligned with the Electoral Area D Official Community Plan (OCP) Bylaw and Squamish Valley Agriculture Plan. Policy changes under the Agriculture Designation of the Area D OCP Bylaw are also required to remove reference to outdated terms and processes related to residential uses in the Agricultural Land Reserve (ALR). Additionally, OCP mapping changes are required to reflect new ALR boundaries in the Upper Squamish Valley. Bylaw No. 1915-2025 and Bylaw No. 1916-2025 apply to the Electoral Area D Agriculture Zone and Electoral Area D OCP Agriculture Designation. Information A copy of the proposed bylaws and relevant background documents may be inspected at the Regional District office, 1350 Aster Street, Pemberton, BC, during office hours 8:00 am to 4:00 pm not including weekends and statutory holidays or by reviewing an electronic copy on the SLRD website at https://www.slrd.bc.ca/inside-slrd/news-notices/ notice-public-hearing-electoral-area-d. All persons who believe that their interest in the property is affected by the proposed bylaws shall be afforded a reasonable opportunity to present submissions respecting matters contained in the bylaws. Written Submissions Written submissions must be addressed to “SLRD Board of Directors," and include your name and community of residence. Until 4:00pm on October 27, 2025, written submissions will be received at the following: Email: Hard Copy:

planning@slrd.bc.ca Squamish-Lillooet Regional District Planning Department PO Box 219, Pemberton, BC V0N 2L0

Written submissions will also be accepted on October 27, 2025 between 4:00pm and the time when the motion to close the Public Hearing is made. During this timeframe, written comments must be submitted by email to: cdewar@slrd.bc.ca. Participate via Zoom The Public Hearing will take place electronically on October 27, 2025 at 7pm. A link will be posted on the SLRD website three days prior to the Public Hearing. You may also email the Planning Department three days prior to the Public Hearing at planning@slrd.bc.ca to request any necessary information.

OCTOBER 17, 2025

ARTS SCENE PIQUE’S GUIDE TO LOCAL EVENTS & NIGHTLIFE Here’s a quick look at some events happening in Whistler this week and beyond. FIND MORE LOCAL EVENT LISTINGS (and submit your own for free!) at piquenewsmagazine.com/local-events

AFTER SCHOOL ART FILE PHOTO

WHISTLER WINE WALK The Whistler Wine Walk is back this fall with guided walking tours of Whistler’s bustling art gallery scene. Experience Whistler’s galleries in a fun and unique way, with local, regional and international artists. Enjoy a variety of interactive art experiences while sipping on B.C. wine at each stop. Get your tickets to this yearly sell-out experience now! Oct. 17, 6 p.m. Various locations

AFTER THE SNOWFALL A celebration of skiing in its purest form, chronicling the world’s best athletes and everyday skiers as they chase snow, risk it all, and find joy in the mountains. Filmed in stunning locations from the Lyngen Alps of Norway to the heli-accessed steeps of British Columbia, the film showcases an elite crew of skiers, pushing boundaries with jaw-dropping style and skill. Oct. 17, 7 p.m. (all ages) and 9:30 p.m. (19+) Maury Young Arts Centre

IF3 MATINEE September 14th to December 4th

3 COURSES FOR $ 39 2 HAPPY HOURS 1 WHISTLER TRADITION

Get ready for an exhilarating morning of ski cinema with two screenings featuring standout films from the 2025 iF3 Official Selection. This is a chance to experience the creativity, passion, and storytelling that define the ski community, plus special guest athletes will be in attendance to make the event even more exciting! Oct. 18, 11 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. Maury Young Arts Centre

IF3 MOVIE AWARDS Don’t miss limited access to the 2025 iF3 Movie Awards Gala, presented by Whistler Blackcomb and hosted by Mark Warner and Leanne Pelosi. This exclusive event celebrates the year’s best ski and snowboard films and athletes. The evening includes a red carpet arrival from 4:15 to 5:15 p.m., followed by the live awards gala from 5:30 to 6:45 p.m., and features the Whistler premiere of Cold Calls from Blank Collective Films.

Oct. 18, 4:15 to 9 p.m. Maury Young Arts Centre

WOVEN PATHWAYS: INDIGENOUS FASHION AND CULTURAL CONTINUITY Connected through waters and shared territory, this exhibit features Squamish and Lil’wat fashion and accessory designers with guest artists from the Northwest Coast. Through contemporary expression, Indigenous designers represent their identities rooted in lineage, land, and culture, shaping the future of fashion. Oct. 18 to April 5, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre

TEEN ART COLLECTIVE A safe, supportive space for teens to explore their thoughts and emotions through creative expression. Guided by a trained art therapist, classes encourage self-awareness, emotional growth and personal insight using a variety of art materials and techniques. Whether coping with anxiety, stress, self-esteem issues, or simply seeking a creative outlet, this class empowers teens to use art as a tool for healing, growth, and self-discovery. Oct. 20, 4 p.m. Audain Art Museum

AFTER SCHOOL ART After School Art engages students in discussions and activities that deepen their understanding of art-making in British Columbia, including its history, methods, materials, and techniques in carving, painting and photography, while fostering appreciation for artistic styles, cultural contexts, and the region’s diverse and evolving art forms. Oct. 23, 3 p.m. Audain Art Museum

HAPPY HOUR MONDAY TO FRIDAY 3PM TO 7PM

See our menu

36 OCTOBER 17, 2025

A JUG & ANY PIZZA OR NACHO FOR $35* WITH TAX INCLUDED! STARTING OCTOBER 1ST *NORMALLY $48 PLUS TAX

PARTIAL RECALL

1 SOON And just like that, there’s snow in the alpine once more. Cold temperatures and precipitation have Sea to Sky residents eyeing the peaks and digging out their gear—just in time for the Turkey Sale over Thanksgiving weekend. PHOTO STOOL-ING THE SHOW While coyote sightings have been frequent in Whistler lately, it’s not every day you catch one doing its business. PHOTO BY BRADEN DUPUIS 3 MORNING OVER MATIER Morning light touches the summit of Mount Matier after an early-season snowfall along Duffey Lake Road. PHOTO BY LUKE FAULKS 4 DANGER ZONE A rockslide on Highway 99 on Monday, Oct. 13 was quickly cleared to the roadside. Large boulders remained visible for days, but traffic resumed shortly after crews arrived. PHOTO BY LIZ MCDONALD 5 BIRTHDAY BASH Simon (left) celebrates his 60th birthday with his friend Wendy (right). Simon’s wife also marked her 60th this year, making them a combined 120 years old. PHOTO COURTESY OF CATHERINE POWER-CHARTRAND BY MATT SYLVESTRE / COURTESY OF WHISTLER BLACKCOMB 2

SEND US YOUR PHOTOS! Send your recent snaps to edit@piquenewsmagazine.com

Recycle? Yes or no? Get the BC RECYCLEPEDIA App

www.rcbc.ca RECYCLING COUNCIL OF B.C. MEMBER

LOUNGERS OF THE WEEK Stay Stinky!

21-4314 Main Street OCTOBER 17, 2025

MUSEUM MUSINGS & ASTROLOGY

Nesters Market—the beginnings BY BRIAN KERR While reading the Museum Musings column a few weeks ago, Brian Kerr was inspired to share his own story about a part of Whistler’s past. He reached out to the Whistler Museum and shared with us his recollections of Nesters Market.

NESTERS MARKET opened its doors in March 1987, the vision of Brian and Elaine Kerr, Ken and Martha Beatty, and Milo Rusimovich. The founding partners wanted to create more than just a grocery store. They dreamed of a place that welcomed both the Whistler community and the ever-growing wave of visitors discovering the resort town. From the beginning, the heart of Nesters was service. Locals knew they could count on familiar faces, while tourists were greeted with warmth and general hospitality. The store quickly became a hub, not just for groceries but also as a community focal point. As a full-service grocery store in Whistler, Nesters was required to stock a wide range of products to satisfy the needs of both local and visitors alike. Kraft Dinner to caviar and anything in between could be found on the shelves. Christmas was an unforgettable time. The store overflowed with line-ups reaching

PAPER OR PLASTIC? A Nesters staff member in the grocery bag costume showing off store products. WHISTLER QUESTION COLLECTION

outside the doors. The Beatty children, sometimes dressed as Santa’s helpers, handed out warm smiles along with deli samples. Waiting in line became a social event where locals could catch up with their friends and visitors could make new acquaintances from around the world. Another memorable moment in the Nesters saga was Halloween. Nesters made

the decision to sponsor a fireworks display in the local neighbourhood of Tapley’s Farm. All went well until one of the roman candles went horizontal and fired its missiles towards the spectators, scattering them throughout the cul de sac. Fortunately, no one was hurt, but, while Nesters still sponsors the fireworks, the pyrotechnics are now conducted by the local fire department.

Throughout the 1990s, Nesters grew with the community and was able to expand the store to provide even greater service, including adding a pharmacy department. Nesters believed you can’t be part of the community unless you give back to the community. To this end, Nesters contributed financially to many community organizations in the valley, both large and small and even neighbourhood barbecues. After the unfortunate demise of store manager, Bill MacKay, in a car accident, Bruce Stewart was hired to manage the store in 1997. Bruce immediately understood the store’s vision and worked diligently with the owners to achieve the ultimate goal: to be the best small grocery store in Canada. This goal was achieved in 2002 when the Canadian Federation of Independent Grocers conferred that very honour on the store. The plaque is prominently displayed behind the service desk along with the many other accolades the store has received. Bruce continues to be the store manager to this day. Over time Nesters became more than a store. It was and continues to be part of the Whistler identity. If you have your own story that you would like to share or add to the Whistler Museum’s archival records, please let us know! n

Free Will Astrology WEEK OF OCTOBER 17 BY ROB BREZSNY ARIES (March 21-April 19): Life is tempting you to

tiptoe to the brink of the threshold of the rawest truth, the wildest beauty, and the most precious love. Your ancestors are conspiring with your guardian angels to lure you into the secret heart of the inner sanctum of spiritual truth. I am totally sincere and serious. You now have a momentous opportunity—a thrilling opening to commune with subtle powers that could provide you with profound guidance. TAURUS (April 20-May 20): In the forests of America’s Pacific Northwest, “nurse logs” lie fallen but fertile. These dead trees host seedlings, mosses, and new saplings that rise from their decaying trunks. I regard this as a powerful metaphor for you, Taurus. Something old in you is crumbling, like outdated beliefs, outmoded duties, or obsolete loyalties. Part of you may want to either grieve or ignore the shift. And yet I assure you that fresh green vitality is sprouting from that seemingly defunct thing. What new possibility is emerging from what was supposed to end? Resurrection is at hand. GEMINI (May 21-June 20): A deeper, wilder, smarter version of love is beckoning you from the horizon. Are you ready to head in its direction? I’m not sure you are. You may semi-consciously believe you already know what love is all about, and are therefore closed to learning more. It’s also possible that your past romantic wounds have made you timid about exploring unfamiliar terrain. Here’s my assessment: If you hope to get exposed to the sweeter, less predictable kinds of intimacy, you will have to drop some (not all) of your excessive protections and defences. PS: At least one of your fears may be rooted in faulty logic. CANCER (June 21-July 22): Princess Diana transformed the British monarchy because she insisted royal duty should include genuine emotional connection. Her generosity wasn’t merely ceremonial but was expressed through hands-on charity work. She had close contact with youth who had nowhere to live. She walked

through minefields as part of her efforts to rid the planet of that scourge. She hugged people with AIDS at a time when many others feared such contact. “Carry out a random act of kindness, with no expectation of reward,” she said. Her ability to maintain grace while remaining emotionally authentic reflected a genius for blending strength with sensitivity. Can you guess her astrological sign? Cancerian, of course. Now is a perfect time for you to draw inspiration from her example. Express your wisely nurturing energy to the max! LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Certain African lions in Kenya have no manes. Scientists theorize it’s an adaptation to heat or a reflection of extra aggressive hunting strategies. But symbolically, it challenges expectations: Is royalty still royalty without the crown? I bring this to your attention, Leo, because I suspect you will soon be asked to explore your power without its usual accoutrements. Can you properly wield your influence if you don’t unleash your signature roar and dazzle? Will quiet confidence or understated presence be sufficiently magnetic? Might you radiate even more potency by refining your fire? I think so. You can summon strength in subtlety and majesty in minimalism. VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): During the next nine months, you will face a poignant and potentially inspiring choice: whether to wrangle with an endless tangle of mundane struggles, or else to expand your vision to the bigger picture and devote your energy intensely to serving your interesting, long-term dreams. I hope you choose the latter option! For best results, get clear about your personal definition of success, in contrast to the superficial definitions that have been foisted on you by your culture. Can you visualize yourself years from now, looking back on your life’s greatest victories? You’re primed to enter a new phase of that glorious work, rededicating yourself with precise intentions and vigorous vows.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): I’m pleased to inform you that the coming weeks will be an excellent time to make a big wish upon a bright star. But I must also tell you how important it is to be clear and exact. Even a slight error in formulating your wish could result in only a partial fulfilment. And aiming your plea at the wrong star could cause a long delay. Sorry I have to be so complicated, dear Libra. The fact is, though, it’s not always easy to know precisely what you yearn for and to ask the correct source to help you get it. But here’s the good news: You are currently in a phase when you’re far more likely than usual to make all the right moves. SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): During the Second World War, Scorpio actor and inventor Hedy Lamarr developed frequency-hopping technology to prevent enemies from jamming torpedo guidance systems. Her solution rapidly switched radio frequencies in hard-to-intercept patterns. The technology was so advanced that no one could figure out how to fully adopt it until years later. Engineers eventually realized that Lamarr’s invention was essential for WiFi, GPS, and cellphone networks. In the coming weeks, Scorpio, you, too, have the potential to generate ideas that might not be ready for prime time but could ultimately prove valuable. Trust your instincts about future needs. Your visionary solutions are laying the groundwork for contributions that won’t fully ripen for a while. SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): I guarantee you won’t experience a meltdown, crack-up, or nervous collapse in the coming weeks, Sagittarius. What unfolds may bring a similar intensity, but in the opposite direction: a personal breakthrough, a cavalcade of illumination, or a surge of awakening. I urge you to be alert and receptive for relaxing flurries of sweet clarity; or streams of insights that rouse a liberating integration; or a confluence of welcome transformations that lead you to unexpected healing. Can you handle so many blessings? I think you can. But you may have to expand your expectations to welcome them all.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): In 1959, a Swedish engineer named Nils Bohlin designed the three-point seatbelt, revolutionizing car safety. Working for Volvo, he insisted the design must be made freely available to all car manufacturers. Bohlin understood that saving lives was more important than hoarding credit or profit. Capricorn, your assignment now is to give generously without fussing about who gets the applause. A solution, insight, or creation of yours could benefit many if you share it without reservation. Your best reward will be observing the beneficial ripple effects, not holding the patent. AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Your exploratory adventures out on the frontiers have been interesting and mostly successful, Aquarius. Congrats! I love how you have avoided tormenting yourself with self-doubt and roused more boldness than you’ve summoned in a long time. You have managed to ignore useless and superstitious fears even as you have wisely heeded the clues offered by one particular fear that was worth considering. Please continue this good work! You can keep riding this productive groove for a while longer. PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): In Korean tradition, mudangs are shamans who endure a personal crisis or illness and emerge with supernatural powers. They perform rituals to seek the favour of spirits. They heal the ancestral causes of misfortune and ensure good fortune, prosperity, and well-being for the people they serve. I don’t mean to imply you’re following a similar path, Pisces. But I do think your recent discomforts have been like an apprenticeship that has given you enhanced capacity to help others. How will you wield your power to bless and heal? Homework: My home country, America, is in a dire crisis that impacts the whole world. Read my comments here: Newsletter.FreeWillAstrology.com.

IN ADDITION TO THIS COLUMN, ROB BREZSNY CREATES EXPANDED AUDIO HOROSCOPES In-depth weekly forecasts designed to inspire and uplift you. To buy access, phone 1-888-499-4425. Once you’ve chosen the Block of Time you like, call 1-888-682-8777 to hear Rob’s forecasts. www.freewillastrology.com

38 OCTOBER 17, 2025

Classifieds

Where locals look

604-938-0202

RENT� SELL HIRE

CALL OR PLACE YOUR CLASSIFIED WITH OUR ONLINE SERVICE FOR EITHER PRINT OR ONLINE...OR BOTH!

Tuesday 12pm Secure & scamless 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 Î Î

online only

Free* for 30 days

print & online

$15* per week

Advertising Options Packages start with 4 lines of text. Additional text ...................................$1/line Î Add one image in print and up to three online as per package level. Î Bolding .......................................... .50¢/word Î Border ..........................................................$2 Î

* Rates are based on using Pique’s selfserve online application at classifieds. piquenewsmagazine.com

Get the added punch to make your business ad standout with a classified display ad. Free ad design, colour options, incentives for ad frequency. Contact a sales rep today.

piquenewsmagazine.com

DISPLAY ADS

CLASSIFIEDS.PIQUENEWSMAGAZINE.COM

PRINT & ONLINE SELF-SERVE

DEADLINE FOR PRINT ADS

Shuttle Driver Wage: $25.00 - 35.00 per hour, plus gratuities Hours: Full time or part time, winter seasonal, weekends, day and night Class 4 unrestricted license required, Class 1 or 2 an asset, training available Housing available For more information: https://whistlerconnection.ca/jobs/driver

We've Got You Covered Planner – Ecosign Mountain Resort Planners Ltd., Whistler BC Ecosign Mountain Resort Planners Ltd. of Whistler, BC, specializes in the planning and design of four-season mountain resorts worldwide. We are seeking a Planner for a full-time, permanent position in our Whistler office. The successful candidate will assist with research, report writing, proposal preparation and project coordination. Duties include analyzing development regulations and zoning bylaws, preparing presentation graphics and reports, and working with Ecosign’s technical staff to produce plans and maps. The successful candidate will be a team player and prepared to work in a deadline-oriented office environment. Applicants should have a degree in planning or a related field and be eligible for or registered with the Canadian Institute of Planners. Strong written, analytical, graphic skills, and proficiency in MS Office and Adobe Creative Suite are required. AutoCAD / GIS experience would be beneficial. Experience working in the ski industry is an asset, and a personal interest in mountain recreation and snow sports is essential. Ecosign is an employee-owned firm offering opportunities for professional growth. Initial starting wage will be $38 - $42 per hour based on experience and qualifications. Ecosign also offers staff an additional profit-sharing bonus system based on company performance. VISITORS’ GUIDE 2017-2018 FREE

Please submit a letter of application and resume: Ecosign Mountain Resort Planners Ltd., Whistler, BC Email: info@ecosign.com

OCTOBER 17, 2025

COMMUNITY

HOME SERVICES

SPORTS & RECREATION

BUILDING & RENOVATIONS

Group Fitness Classes Friday I 7:30-8:30 a.m. Strength in Play – Anna Saturday I 10:30-11:30 a.m. Zumba – Carmen

BUILDING OUR COMMUNITY

Monday F 6-7 p.m. SPIN – Courtney Tuesday I 5:30-6:30 a.m. TRX Mixer – M-A Wednesday F 6:00-7:00 p.m. SPIN – Courtney Thursday F 5:15-6:15 p.m. Yoga: Core Fusion – Heidi

PROFESSIONALISM

SAFETY

STRONG WORK ETHIC

See our full page schedule ad in this issue of Pique for details

Wiebe Construction Services Serving Whistler for over 25 years

• Kitchen and Bath • Renovations & Repairs • Drywall • Painting • Finishing • Minor Electrical & Plumbing

Ray Wiebe 604.935.2432 Pat Wiebe 604.902.9300 raymondo99.69@gmail.com

Employee Health & Wellness Plan available HEAVY EQUIPMENT OPERATOR – Minimum 5 years or 5,000 hours operating experience on excavator. Full-time, Monday – Friday. $33-$46 per hour. CRUSHING & EARTHWORKS MANAGER – Must have experience with mobile crushing plant and heavy civil construction. $33-$46 per hour.

Local Stone & Quartz Specialist

CONSTRUCTION LABOURER – Great opportunity to learn on-the-job. Stamina for physically demanding work and perseverance to brave inclement weather required. Previous experience preferred but not required. Training provided. $28-$33 per hour.

Also offering custom home renovations including fully remodeled kitchens, bathrooms and more...

PIPE LAYER – Minimum 5 years experience in civil construction. Full-time, Monday – Friday. $33-$43 per hour.

Setting materials in stock Tile sale starting at $1

TRUCK DRIVER – BCDL Class 1 or Class 3 with air brakes required. Manual transmission. 2 years experience preferred. $35-$41.50 per hour. PROJECT MANAGER – Minimum 10 years experience preferred. Civil Engineering degree or

Civil Technology diploma preferred. Full Time, $90,000 to $125,000 per year depending on experience and qualification.

REAL ESTATE MULTIPLE LOCATIONS

PROJECT COORDINATOR – Minimum 2 years experience preferred. $29-$40 per hour.

#103-1010 Alpha Lake Rd, Whistler, BC mariomarbleandtile.com mariomarble@shawbiz.ca 604-935-8825

MOVING AND STORAGE

Y APPL

Long Term Rental Management ANNUAL & SEASONAL For Whistler Property Owners

WE ARE HIRING! JOIN OUR TALENTED CULINARY TEAM!

604-932-0677 info@mountaincountry.ca MOUNTAINCOUNTRY.CA

NESTERS

Deliver unforgettable dining experiences at Canada’s #1 Resort (Condé Nast Traveler), Accommodation of the Year (BC Hotel Association), and a proud recipient of Two MICHELIN Keys. At Four Seasons Resort and Residences Whistler, excellent food starts with excellent talent - apply today and be part of something exceptional!

big or small we do it all! Call 604-902-MOVE www.alltimemoving.ca

Available full-time seasonal positions: Chef de Partie (Sidecut Steakhouse)|Cook 1|Cook 2

Staff Housing - Furnished 3 Bed + Den, 2 Bath + Separate 1 Bed, 1 Bath Suite in Nesters. Contact skicross555@hotmail.com

40 OCTOBER 17, 2025

Become a monthly donor today! Sign up at www.whistlerwag.com

We’re Hiring Are you passionate about quality construction and ready to grow your career in a dynamic, award-winning company? TM Builders, a leader in high-end residential and commercial construction in Whistler, is looking for: Labourers, Apprentices, and Carpenters to join our team. Labourer $20-28: Assist skilled tradespeople on-site, maintain safe and efficient job sites, and gain hands-on construction experience.

JOB OPPORTUNITIES AT SSHS Health Program

Clinical Services Manager Provides leadership of a comprehensive range of nursing programs within community and public health Community Health Nurse Provide care to adult members (19+), being responsible of full scope nursing care to a variety of clients, constantly promoting health and wellness education, and aligning care out of community Home & Community Care Nurse Provide care to adult community members (19+), being responsible for full scope nursing care to home care clients and members with chronic diseases, constantly promoting health and wellness education, and aligning care out of community

• Friendly and approachable personality with a desire to learn as much as you can about construction

Child & Family Services

Apprentice $25-$35: Start your journey to becoming a Red Seal Carpenter, working alongside experienced mentors and developing your craft. • Registered with a recognized provincial training authority • Demonstrated knowledge of construction practices and operation of tools • Ability to work safely and effectively with minimal supervision • Must have basic carpentry tools, tool belt, proper footwear

Jordans Principle

Carpenter $35-$50: Bring your skills to high-end projects, focusing on precision, quality, and craftsmanship. • 3+ years of experience working as a carpenter • Knowledge of residential renovation and new build construction • Understanding of BC & Local Municipal Building Codes • Must have tool belt and tools • Red Seal/Journeyman certification preferred • Occupational First Aid an asset

Requirements for All Positions: • Strong work ethic and team-oriented mindset • Physical ability to perform construction tasks including lifting heavy objects, working at heights, and in all weather conditions • Must be legally entitled to work in Canada • Must have own vehicle and a clean driver’s abstract • Commitment to safety on-site

Why TM Builders? We are award winning Net Zero Certified construction leaders. • Work on exceptional, custom homes and mountain infrastructure projects • Learn from industry-leading trades people and expand your skills • Supportive, safety-focused work environment • Opportunities for career growth and professional development

Apply to: connect@tmbuilders.ca

Family Preservation Worker Supports SSHS families through culturally sensitive programs and services, promoting children’s safety and quality of life. This role coordinates resources to enhance family unity, empowering families as primary caregivers. Jordans Principle Administrative Assistant Provides administrative support to the Jordan’s Principle Service Coordinator, Service Coordination delivery, and support community building activities as needed. Disseminate information to the public and to service providers and community-based professionals to promote Jordan’s Principle and reduce service barriers for Indigenous children in BC.

Early Childhood Development ECD Program Coordinator The ECD Coordinator oversees quality programming in N’Quatqua, Skatin, and Samahquam, including Early Childhood Development Drop-ins, Playgroups, and licensed childcare. They support children aged 0-6 and their families using a strengths-based approach, managing program planning, staffing, resources, recordkeeping, and reporting.

Administration Bookkeeper The Bookkeeper will play a crucial role in managing the financial records and transactions for SSHS, ensuring precision, compliance, and overall financial stability. This detail-oriented individual will be motivated to assist our accounting team in maintaining accurate financial records and handling daily bookkeeping tasks.

SQUAMISH

The Sea to Sky corridor’s top civil construction company. We are currently recruiting professionally minded people to join our team: Pipe Layers Construction Labourers *Competitive wages, extended health benefits (after 3 months) Email resume to: info@whistlerexcavations.com

WHISTLER

ABOUT US SSHS is a non-proﬁt Indigenous Health Organization dedicated to improving the health and wellbeing of Indigenous communities. Our organization provides culturally appropriate healthcare services, programs and initiatives to support the holistic health of Indigenous individuals and families. SSHS offers a competitive beneﬁts and employment package for full-time staff All positions require on-site availability SSHS team members travel from our office in Mount Currie, BC into the communities, often driving along a Forest Service Road for up to two hours or being helicoptered in. This ensures that SSHS membersfrom newborns to Eldershave access to the health and wellness supports at their health stations, or health space, in their home communities.

APPLY NOW Apply by sending your resume and cover letter via email: Julia.schneider@sshs.ca View the full job postings on our website: sshs.ca/careers/

PEMBERTON

WISHES WEDDING MAGAZINE

2025 ISSUE

Whistler’s only dedicated wedding magazine. AVAILABLE ON STANDS IN THE SEA TO SKY

The Sea to Sky corridor’s top civil construction company. Applicants should be professional and safety-minded, with a commitment to contributing positively to our team environment. We are seeking a qualified individual for the following position: Heavy Duty Red Seal Technician or Apprentice Heavy Duty Technician or Shop Helper *Competitive wages, extended health benefits (after 3 months) Please Email resume to: info@whistlerexcavations.com OCTOBER 17, 2025

JOB POSTING: Jordan's Principle Administrative Assistant

Salary: $52 000-$55 000

Position Overview: Provides administrative support to the Jordan's Principle Service Coordinator, Service Coordination delivery, and support community building activities as needed. Disseminate information to the public and to service providers and community-based professionals to promote Jordan's Principle and reduce service barriers for Indigenous children in BC. Qualiﬁcations: • Excellent verbal and written communication skills • Work effectively with First Nations communities and people • Ability to work independently and in teams • Demonstrated ability to maintain conﬁdentiality, privacy and security of information • Excellent attention to detail, organizational skills, and time management • Satisfy requirements for a Criminal Record Check and Vulnerable Sector Check

Duties include: • Promoting Jordan's Principle and reducing barriers for Indigenous children in BC. • Building relationships with stakeholders, including government and First Nations. • Coordinating payments for approved requests per ISC and SSHS guidelines. • Collaborating with ISC, service providers, and Indigenous families to promote and coordinate Jordan's Principle services. • Maintaining a database of requests and payments, preparing funder reports with leadership and ﬁnance. • Providing ﬁnancial support, developing, and implementing payment systems and processes.

See full job posting: sshs.ca/careers/

Special: • This position is requires travel to indigenous communities served by SSHS, accessed by Forest Service Road • SSHS offers a competitive beneﬁts and employment package to full time employees

Apply by sending your resume and cover letter to: julia.schneider@sshs.ca

Lil’Wat Health & Healing is hiring for: A full-time Community Health Nurse $41.42-$52.81/hr + $2.15/hr shift premium

A part-time, RN/LPN – Home Care $32.84 to $45.03/hr + $2.15/hr shift premium

Applicants must possess a Nursing diploma or degree, current practicing registration with BCNU, a class 5 driver’s license and a clear criminal record check, including vulnerable sector. For more details on the job, or to apply visit www.lilwat.ca/careers For any questions email: hr@lilwat.ca

WE’RE HIRING

Ready to make an impact in your community?

Senior Accountant – We’re Hiring! Maternity Leave

THE 2025-2026 PEMBERTON GUIDE on stands now!

Responsibilities: Diagnose, repair, and maintain customer vehicles Conduct frame inspections for cracks or damage Install, balance, and repair tires (passenger, light truck, commercial, agricultural) Perform motor vehicle safety inspections (body, frame, powertrain, etc.) Mentor apprentice technicians

What we offer:

APPLY NOW!

whistlersportlegacies.com/careers

42 OCTOBER 17, 2025

Black's Hot Wheels is hiring for a:

Red Seal Automotive Service Technician

Location: Downtown Pemberton Schedule: Mon-Fri, 8:00am-5:30pm (42.5 hrs/week) Pay: $45-$50/hr (based on experience)

Whistler Athletes' Centre Whistler Olympic Park Whistler Sliding Centre • Affordable staff housing options • Competitive wages & guaranteed hours • Full time / part time / casual roles

Apply to the Resort Municipality today: whistler.ca/careers

AN OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF

Requirements: Red Seal Automotive Service Technician Certification Experience with mechanical, electrical, and electronic vehicle systems Valid Driver’s License Send resumes to: Basic computer skills blackshotwheels@shawbiz.ca Note: Additional job-related duties may be assigned. Requirements reflect minimum knowledge, skills, or abilities.

5 8

3 9 6 7 • Custodian/Events Host ($17.85 -7 $20.901 per hour) 4 • Human Resources Generalist ($57,330.00 to $64,610.00 per year) Child 4 & Family 2 Services8 1 • Assistant Director, Child & Family Services ($93,475.00 to $101,556.00 per year) 3 8 5 Lil’wat Health & Healing + Pqusnalhcw Health Centre • Healing Program Manager ($57,330.00 to $64,610.00 per year) 6 9 4 1 • Program Coordinator ($46,683.00 to $63,973.00 per year) • Assistant Director, Health & Wellness ($93,475.20 to 6 2 9 $101,566.00 per year) • Community Health Nurse ($41.42 to 52.81 per hour) + $2.15 hourly premium)9 1 6 2 • Registered/Licensed Practical Nurse - Home Care ($32.84 to $45.03 7per hour 5 + 6$2.15 hourly premium) • Healing Project Manager ($57,330.00 to $64,610.00 per year) Community 1 Program 9 2 8 3 4 • Early Childhood Educator - Infant Toddler ($24.00 - $29.45/hr ÚlÍus Community Centre

based on experience + this position is eligible for wage V. EASY # 53 top up)

Xet’òlacw Community School • Education Assistant ($20.90 to $29.45 per hour) • Language Resource Worker or Language Teacher ($46,683 to $109,520 per year) • PE Teacher ($60,015.00 to $109,520.00 per year) Ts’zil Learning Centre • Indigenous Support Worker ($38,038.00 to $53,599.00 per year) • Indigenous Support Worker – Academic ($38,038.00 to $53,599.00 per year)

5 8 1 6 8 7 9 Please visit our career page for more information: https://lilwat.ca/careers/ 5 7 3 8 6 2 7 3 1 1 6 9 7 4 9 3 5 8 Job Type: 3 Temporary with 5 long 4 term 2 potential Pay: To be negotiated 2 7 9 We are seeking a skilled and experienced 1 2 4 8 • Employment Placement Specialist – WorkBC ($38,038.00 to $53,599.00 per year)

Whistler’s premier visitor magazine is on stands now!

Look for our Summer 2025 Issue! Find it on select stands and in Whistler hotel rooms.

Heavy Equipment Operator,

V. EASY

# 55

that is willing to work remotely. We can supply housing, or you can bring your own RV, power, and WIFI is available on site. The role is ideal for individuals who are awaiting the snow to fly in the Whistler area. If you have a strong work ethic, we want to hear from you.

8 1 9 4 3 9 7 4 7 2 5 6 Come build and grow 7 6 2 8 with the team. 2 best 5 4 9 Our team of people is what sets us apart from other builders. As we continue to grow as the leader1 in luxury projects 3 2in Whistler, our team needs 7 to expand with us. We are currently hiring: 3 Labourers6($20 - $305hourly) 1 Carpenters Helpers/Apprentices 1 to 4 year ($25 - $35 hourly) Experienced Carpenters ($30 4 Carpentry 2 - $45 hourly) 7 Foremen ($40 - $50 hourly) Site 5Supervisor 1 8 4 6 Rates vary based on experience and qualiﬁcations. Red Seal is a bonus but not required. Crane st

V. EASY # 54 Operator experience considered an asset. EVR is committed to the long-term retention and skills development of our team. We are passionate about investing in our team’s future.

WE OFFER: • Top Wages and a Positive Work Environment • Flexible Schedule - Work Life Balance (We get it, we love to ski and bike too.) • Training & Tuition Reimbursement (Need help getting your Red Seal?) • Assistance with work visa and Permanent Residency (We can help!)

5 8

4 8 7 9 3 6 We promote3 from within and are looking 6 to strengthen 7 4our amazing team. Opportunities for advancement into management positions always exist for the right candidates. Don’t miss out on being able to build with the team that builds the most significant projects in Whistler. 9 7 8 Send your resume to careers@evrfinehomes.com. We look forward to hearing from you! 1 5 2 7 9 3 5 4 1 2 6 1 4 3 9 2 1 5 Become8 a 7 9 BENEFITS & PERKS: • Annual Leisure & Tool Benefit – Use toward ski/bike pass, tool purchase, etc. – you choose! • Extended Health and Dental Benefits for you and your family

monthly donor V. EASY today!

# 53

2 7 5 6 4 3 8 1 9 1 6 9 2 8 5 7 3 4

4 1 8 6 9 2 3 5 7

2 5 7 3 1 8 4 6 9 Contact: robert@zyroxmining.com

www.sudoku.com

# 56

We are looking for: • Minimum 2 years heavy equipment experience, # 54 # 55 5 8 1e.g., 4 loaders, 3 9 6 2excavators. 7 6 8 1 9 4 5 7 3 2 3 9• 6Physically 5 2 7 1capable 4 8 9 2 5 7 6 3 1 8 4 and willing to work 8-12 hours a day, 4 2 7in 8all1weather 6 9 5 conditions. 3 7 3 4 8 2 1 5 9 6 9 3 8 1 5 2 4 7 6 5 7 9 1 3 6 2 4 8 6 5• 2Reliable, 9 7 4 flexible, 3 8 1 adaptable, and 8 6 2 5 7 4 9 1 3 to 8work 7 1 4able 3 6 2 9in 5a team-based industrial 1 4 3 2 environment. 8 9 6 7 5 8 4• 3Valid 7 9Class 1 5 56license. 2 3 9 6 4 5 7 8 2 1

3 8 2 6 1 4 7 5 9

Page 14 of 25

Answers

9 6 5 2 3 7 8 4 1

4 1 7 5 8 9 3 2 6

5 4 3 8 6 1 9 7 2

8 2 9 7 5 3 1 6 4

1 7 6 4 9 2 5 3 8

7 9 8 3 2 6 4 1 5

6 3 1 9 4 5 2 8 7

2 5 4 1 7 8 6 9 3

# 56

NOW HIRING SNOWMOBILE GUIDES

6 1 5 7 4 2 3 8 9 PERKS INCLUDE: 7 4 8 5 9 3 6 2 1 TOP INDUSTRY 9 3 2 8 1 6 5PAY 7 4– SPIRIT PASS PROGRAM – 3FLEXIBLE 9 7 4 8 SCHEDULE 1 2 5 6 – FREE ACTIVITIES – 1 5 4FRIENDS 2 6 7 8 &9 FAMILY 3 DISCOUNTS 8 2 6 3 5 9 4 1 7 2 6 9 1 3 5 7 4 8 Visit canadianwilderness.com/employment 4 7 3 9 2 8 1 6 5 for5 full and how to apply. 8 1 job 6 7 description 4 9 3 2

4/11/2005

OCTOBER 17, 2025

PUZZLES ACROSS 1 6 11 16 21 22 23 24 25 26 28 29 30 31 32 34 35 37 38 40 41 42 44 46 49 52 53 55 59 60 61 64 65 66 67 68 70 71 72

Guiding principle Officer-to-be Reliance Foundation Ceremonial acts Come to be Rushed action Town in Maine Yearns Arborist (2 wds.) -- Ana winds “-- for Two” Troublesome bug Safe-travel org. Makes a grating sound Bother River in Ireland Sunbeam Usher’s bailiwick Pigskin prop Sin’s counterpart? Clever remark Partly coincide Skidded Giant gaseous planet Row Actor -- Kilmer Draws a certain way Spring month Geller of “Friends” Fearful Fully developed Flake Make mention of Partiality Holiday drink Diva’s song Kid Catch -- Zs

73 74 76 77 79 80 82 84 85 86 87 88 90 91 92 95 96 98 100 101 102 104 105 106 107 108 110 112 113 114 116 117 118 119 121 124 125 128 130 131

Magical stick French painter Rocky hill Inform Operated Metallic element Sheep’s cries Rounded part Wraparound dress Troubles Rajah’s wife One at the front Fruit stones “-- a chance!” Curl Singer -- Garfunkel Unbending Diplomacy Composition for two Chinese chairman “Exodus” author Many years Dad, in Dijon Hoosegow Developer of 18-Down Cheers Word of warning Trumpet Dwindled Pro golfer -- Palmer Road surface Horned animal Trifling Burnable heap Use of words Single (Prefix) Hydro Priest’s vestment Keen Favorite --

132 136 137 139 140 141 142 144 147 149 150 151 152 153 154 155 156

Space Shuttle gp. Bounder “No doubt -- it!” Time “Invasion of the -Snatchers” Hoary Oak-to-be Time of strength and vigor (3 wds.) Land-owning Show to be false -- Park, Colo. Deadly Inn Unchains Quotidian Put forth effort Die down

DOWN 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20

Shipping box Kitchen gadget “-- Frome” Poor grade CIA predecessor Forty winks Dress in finery Usual fare Compass pt. More irritable Bondman Disreputable paper Software buyer Ermine Gets uptight Foreman Altar constellation “-- the Hedgehog” Musical passage Steeps

27 30 33 36 38 39 43 44 45 47 48 49 50 51 52 54 56 57 58 60 61 62 63 66 67 69 72 73 74 75 78 79 81 83 85 88 89 92 93 94

Defunct empire -- and bear it Hit repeatedly Fit out This class is for the birds Roof part Web address River in France Baby food Nest-egg letters Art movement “-- bleu!” Sap-sucking insect Suffering Big bag White sale items Act of limiting George or T.S. Plays the lead Hoarfrost Metal container Glow “Wag the --” Social group Handrail Certain archangel Sword Toad feature Dummy Bias White fish Police action Funny guy Sch. subject Early keyboard instrument Actress -- Linney Mistake Bankruptcy Keen to act Flatterer

97 99 100 103 105 106 107 109 111 112 113 115 117 118 120 122 123

Sailor “-- we there yet?” Flit Word in telegrams City of Light -- of Arc Beauty parlor Cunning Soft mass Ring Lacking color Dull Tall animal -- Express Ran away to marry Poor in quality Poi source

124 125 126 127 129 131 133 134 135 137 138 140 143 145 146 147 148

Early Ford (2 wds.) Kerchief Horse in a race Sun-dried brick Anatomical sac Until now (2 wds.) Blood vessel Icy rain Confuse Small colonists Monkey Mouthful Regret Actor -- Gibson Careless Cry of discovery Male swan

LAST WEEK’S ANSWERS

5 8

3 9 6 7 7 1 4 4 2 8 1 3 8 5 6 9 4 1 6 2 9 9 1 6 2 7 5 6 1 9 2 8 3 4

V. EASY

# 53

Enter a digit from 1 through 9 in each cell, in such a way that: • Each horizontal row contains each digit exactly once • Each vertical column contains each digit exactly once • Each 3x3 box contains each digit exactly once Solving a sudoku puzzle does not require any mathematics; simple logic suffices.

LEVEL OF DIFFICULTY: VERY EASY

5 8 1 6 8 7 9 5 7 3 8 6 2 7 3 1 1 6 9 7 4 9 3 5 8 3 5 4 2 2 7 9 1 2 4 8 V. Solution, EASY # 55 tips and computer program at www.sudoku.com

ANSWERS ON PAGE 43

44 OCTOBER 17, 2025

CALL THE EXPERTS

Want to advertise your service on this page? BLINDS & SHADES

Call Pique at (604) 938-0202, or email sales@piquenewsmagazine.com

BLINDS & SHADES

SUNCREST WINDOW COVERINGS

WINDOW COVERINGS Whistler’s Source for Blinds since 1989

Custom Blinds • Shades • Draperies

• BLINDS • SHADES

• SHUTTERS • DRAPERY

David Weldon david@summersnow.ca 604-938-3521

Connie Griffiths Tel: 604-935-2101 Email: windowcov@shaw.ca www.whistlerwindowcoverings.ca

Custom Window Treatments Contact us today for a free quote or consultation info@suncrestwindowcoverings.com

CARPET CLEANING

9 7 1 3 4

www.summersnow.ca david@summersnowfinishings.com

Summer Snow Finishings Limited

604.698.8406

CHIMNEY

BLACK BEAR BLACKCOMB CHIMNEY 8 1CARPET 9 4 CLEANING 3 LTD. PATROL LTD. Serving Whistler since 1986 7 4 • Carpets • Furnace Specialized in cleaning • Upholstery • Airducts Chimneys, Furnace & Airducts, 2 5 6 • Tiles • Dryer vents Dryer vents. 7 6 2CERTIFIED 8 604.932.1388 / 1.877.932.5775 100% ECO FRIENDLY blackcombchimney@yahoo.ca 2www.blackbearcarpetcleaning.ca 5 4 9 • 604 698 6610 3 2 7 6 5 1 WANT 2 7 TO ADVERTISE your service here? 5 1 8 4 6

CLEANING

Coast Mountain Cleaning

• Full service cleaning • Available 24/7 • Residential • Post Construction • Carpet/ Upholstery cleaning • Commercial & Air BNB • Property Maintenance • Established 2011 (604)966-1437

GLASS

5 4 8 7 AUTO 8 GLASS 9 3 SPECIALISTS 6 3 mountainglass.ca 6 7 4 | info@mountainglass.ca 604-932-7288 9 7 8 1 5 2PRESSURE 7 WASHING 9 3 5 4 1 2 6 1 4 3 9 2 1 5 • Hot/cold pressure washing Interlock restoration • Wood restoration Soft washing (roofs/houses) 8••• Stone 7 9 and concrete sealing • Property management

products since the

www.coastmountaincleaning.com

beginning for a better future

FINANCE & INSURANCE REAL SAVINGS • BETTER COVERAGE • LOCAL ADVICE START WITH A FREE CONSULTATION

BENEFITS@OCEANSUNFINANCIAL.COM

HEATING AND COOLING

PAINTING

Interior Specialist • Handyman Good bang for your buck!

· Frameless Shower Enclosures · Complete Window/Door Packages · Custom Railing Glass Systems · Fogged/Failed Window Replacements

604.932.7999 • joe@whistlerpainting.ca WhistlerPainting.ca

THE COMPLETE GLASS CENTRE

V. EASY

604-902-PEAK

# 56 www.peakpressure.ca Peter@peakpressure.ca

Using Tea tree oil based

coastmountaincleaning@gmail.com

Call Pique at (604) 938-0202, or email # 54 sales@piquenewsmagazine.com

V. EASY

• Wood blinds • Sunscreens • Shades • Motorization

PROPERTY MANAGEMENT

SURVEYING

WE HAVE MANAGERS THAT CARE & 2 BEDROOM •1 PROPERTY MANAGEMENT APARTMENTS • LONG TERM RENTALS

DOUG BUSH

AVAILABLE • BOUTIQUE STYLE STRATA MANAGEMENTSURVEY SERVICES LTD. dbss.ca

For more details email Call for a free consultation rentals@avesta1.com Info@avesta1.com

604-815-4545 • www.avesta1.com

PH: 604-932-3314 • Whistler, B.C. STU PINKNEY stu@dbss.ca

IAN STIRK ian@dbss.ca

OCTOBER 17, 2025

PIQUE’N YER INTEREST

Embrace the darkness WITH THE EXCEPTION of a handful of sunny days this week, this October is starting to feel like a real October. The Whistler Mountain Bike Park wrapped up for the season on Oct.

BY VINCE SHULEY 13, with any further two-wheeled recreation in the valley being a bonus from here on. Rain is hitting hard and a smattering of snow teases what may become of this winter. Fall is well and truly in session. While many lament these weeks of preopening-day patience and do their best to hop on annual sojourns to warmer climates, I love this time of year. There’s no pressure to get after it on every day off. I can actually check some tasks off that nagging to-do list I’ve been kicking down the road the whole summer. But my favourite part of the fall? Embracing the darkness. Other than lack of daylight, what makes the fall so dark? The cold, wet weather affects everything from the colour of the leaves and the clothes we wear to what we eat and drink. We have a (mostly) manufactured spooky

CREATURE’S CURSE Add a dash of spook to your old fashioned this Halloween season. PHOTO COURTESY OF BLACK LAGOON

46 OCTOBER 17, 2025

season, where haunted houses, vampire movies and parading, sugar-hunting children knock on our doors demanding over-packaged candy. Being happily childless, I like to make my spooky season more about the darker books I read, the darker music I listen to and the darker drinks I enjoy. All in moderation, of course. Two things have gotten me into the spirit of darkness lately. One was stopping by the Black Lagoon Halloween pop-up at The Raven Room. Lots of Whistler bars and hotels will drape some typical polyester spiderweb and stick up some paper bats in the windows, but

reading Blood of the Gods: Metal. Mayhem. Wine. This is a bound collection of magazine essays, interviews, wine picks and tattooworthy artwork that explores the collision of two worlds that are often misunderstood and rarely combined: heavy metal and wine. While I’m well-versed in the rich and diverse culture of metal music, my relationship with wine is a bit more complicated. I have a rough idea of which grapes grow in what regions, and a quick Google search can help me buy the appropriate type of wine for my friends’ dinner parties. Other than participating in the monthly Whistler Wine

The cold, wet weather affects everything from the colour of the leaves and the clothes we wear to what we eat and drink.

the adventurous folks at The Raven Room go all out. Whether it’s the towering Jack Skellington in the corner looking like he’s going to murder you with a hammer, or the paper mâché torso dangling over the bar by a meathook, you get the sense that this is an adults-only Halloween experience. Along with a drinks menu that has some impressively dark spins on your favourite cocktails, this bar is setting the Whistler benchmark for getting into the Halloween spirit. The other inspiration I’ve had of late is

Club a few times (a most welcoming and unpretentious gathering hosted by the good folks at Blackcomb Liquor Store), I had yet to feel a real connection to wine culture. What I discovered is it’s not about visiting ostentatious vineyards with brutalist architecture, nor is it impressing the table with how much you spent on that bottle of Brunello di Montalcino. Despite it often feeling a bit snooty and elitist, wine culture is as broad, rich, and—if you dig deep enough— as dark as the tapestry of metal, a music genre

which can also have its gatekeepers. Blood of the Gods demolishes the gates on both sides and takes no prisoners. Ever wondered what metal song and wine pair best with ritualistic Black Masses? The answer is the meaty ferocity and savoury character of a Nuits-Saint-Georges Premier Cru, sipped to the tune that launched heavy metal music into the firmament and forever linked it with the occult — “War Pigs” by Black Sabbath. What wine would Saruman enjoy when chilling back in the black stone tower of Isengard? As master sommelier Jackson Rohrbaugh writes: “Saruman definitely drinks Napa Cabernet. There’s definitely an Orthanc-like sheen to many of the biggest and most impressive [Napa wineries]. If Saruman represents striving for power, he definitely enjoys the aspirational wealth vibes of America’s most prominent and powerful wine region.” Have you ever heard of Tool frontman Maynard James Keenan’s winemaking venture in Verde Valle, Arizona? How does he draw parallels between the process of making great music and making great wine? I’ve never cared enough about wine to read a book about it before. Blood of the Gods hasn’t just inspired me to try new wines through its metal-themed narrative, it has me thinking about this divine liquid in a whole new light. Or a whole new darkness. And I couldn’t think of a more suitable interlude during our darkest time of year. Vince Shuley listened to his metal playlist while writing this column. n

ENGEL &VÖLKERS WHISTLER

Follow your dream, home.

#146- 4899 Painted Cliff Road, Whistler 2 Bed | 2 Bath | 807 sq.ft. $1,099,000 604-902-3309 Peter Lalor broker@evwhistler.ca

1087 Madeley Place, Whistler 4 Bed | 2.5 Bath | 2,466 sq.ft. $2,950,000 (GST exempt) 604-616-6933 Kathy White PREC* kathy.white@evrealestate.com

#301-37762 Third Avenue, Squamish 2 Bed | 2 Bath | 1,032 sq.ft $799,000 778-318-5900 Angie Vazquez PREC* angievazquezrealtor@gmail.com

7505 Pebble Creek Drive, Pemberton Vacant land | 31,864 sq.ft. (.731 acres) $875,000 778-998-2357 Gina Daggett gina.daggett@evrealestate.com

2710 Rimrock Road, Whistler 4 Bed | 4 Bath | 2,615 sq.ft. $3,599,000 604-910-1103 Connie Spear connie.spear@engelvoelkers.com

Vazquez Realty Group

2963 High Point Drive, Kadenwood

Vazquez Realty Group

$9,950,000 5221 Jordan Lane, Nita Lake Estates

Tucked high above Whistler Creekside in the exclusive Kadenwood neighbourhood, this home feels like a world apart — surrounded by forest, mountain air, and endless views. Step inside and you can feel the craftsmanship everywhere. Maggi Thornhill PREC*

# 304-1365 Pemberton Avenue, Squamish 1 Bed | 1 Bath | 607 sq.ft $549,000 604-849-0880 Carlo Gomez carlo.gomez@evrealestate.com

+1-604-905-8199

maggi.thornhill@evrealestate.com Maggi & Max Thornhill Team

$6,750,000

Positioned at the end of a long, forested driveway on over an acre of land, 5221 Jordan Lane offers rare privacy, luxurious finishes and a true connection to Whistler’s natural surroundings. This architectural gem enjoys all-day sun and breathtaking views of Whistler Mountain from nearly every room. Maggi Thornhill PREC* maggi.thornhill@evrealestate.com Maggi & Max Thornhill Team

Whistler Village Shop

Squamish Station Shop

36-4314 Main Street · Whistler BC V8E 1A8 · Phone +1 604-932-1875

150-1200 Hunter Place · Squamish BC V8B 0G8 · Phone +1 604-932-1875

+1-604-905-8199

9348 Gun Lake Road Gun Lake, BC

577 - 4090 Whistler Way

8270 Mountain View Drive

3D TOUR: rem.ax/577westin

VIDEO: rem.ax/8270mtnview

Westin Resort - Whistler Village

CHALET

CONDO

VACANT LAND

3 | 1,450 SQFT

Dave

.5 | 407 SQFT

Denise

1,125,000

604.902.2779

$385,000

604.902.2033

Sharpe

18 - 6125 Eagle Drive

Smoketree - Whistler Cay Heights

Alpine Meadows

Brown

14,300 SQFT

$2,450,000

Kyoko

Hamazaki

604.932.7741

207A - 2020 London Lane

16 Garibaldi Drive

Evolution

Black Tusk Village

3D TOUR: rem.ax/18smoketree

3D TOUR: rem.ax/207Evo

TOWNHOUSE

CHALET

2 | 1,085 SQFT

Laddie

4 | 2,152 SQFT

$1,249,000

604.603.7672

$1,949,880

Hannam

21 - 2050 Lake Placid Road Lake Placid Lodge - Whistler Creek

SHARED OWNER

Laura

1 | 592 SQFT

604.905.8777

$224,900

Barkman

209 - 3371 Ptarmigan Place Greyhawk - Blueberry Hill

Matt

Chiasson

604.935.9171

109 - 2050 Lake Placid Road Lake Placid Lodge - Whistler Creek 3D TOUR: rem.ax/109lakeplacidldg

CONDO

1 | 563 SQFT

$999,999

CONDO

Richard

2 | 1,197 SQFT

604.902.4260

$1,575,000

Grenfell

SUBSCRIBE TO OUR OPEN HOUSES: TEXT Open to : 604.229.0067

CONDO

Sally

1 | 552 SQFT

Ursula

604.932.7741

$999,000

604.932.8629

Warner*

Morel*