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JANUARY 2, 2026 ISSUE 33.01

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FREE REWIND

2025 YEAR YEAR IN IN REVIEW REVIEW

FINAL PHASE Cheakamus Phase 2 approaching final stage of buildout

ASK THE MAYOR A Q&A with Mayor Jack Crompton

ON THE PULSE Celebrating five years of the Whistler Pulse Podcast

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THIS WEEK IN PIQUE

Year in Review 2025 Looking back on a year of celebrations in Whistler. - By Pique staff

06 OPENING REMARKS However this election year unfolds, it will be documented

12 FINAL PHASE Cheakamus Crossing Phase 2 is approaching the final stage of its

the same as the others, writes editor Braden Dupuis—one issue of Pique at a time.

buildout after council heard plans for phased development on Lot 6 last month.

08 LETTERS TO THE EDITOR This week’s letter writers weigh in on Whistler

13 ASK THE MAYOR Mayor Jack Crompton talks the year that was, and what’s in store

Blackcomb’s 60th celebrations, and Whistler’s 2026 budget.

for Whistler in 2026.

18 THE OUTSIDER After a slow start to the season, Whistler enjoyed something of a

24 TRAINING DAY Squamish biathlete and Olympic hopeful Jasper Fleming doesn’t let

Christmas miracle last week, writes Vince Shuley.

dyslexia hold him back.

38 PIQUE’N YER INTEREST tobias c. van Veen floats 10 weird and wonderful

28 ON THE PULSE Founder and host Laura Hanlon reflects on five years of the Whistler

wishes for Whistler in 2026.

Pulse Podcast.

COVER Looking forward to the next year not being like the last year. - By Jon Parris // @jon.parris.art

Publisher SARAH STROTHER - sstrother@piquenewsmagazine.com Editor BRADEN DUPUIS - bdupuis@piquenewsmagazine.com Sales Manager KAIJA KNOX - kknox@lodestarmedia.ca Production Manager AMIR SHAHRESTANI - ashahrestani@piquenewsmagazine.com

Reporters LUKE FAULKS - lfaulks@piquenewsmagazine.com DAVID SONG - sports@piquenewsmagazine.com Office Manager HEIDI RODE - hrode@wplpmedia.com Classifieds and Reception - mail@piquenewsmagazine.com

Art Director JON PARRIS - jparris@piquenewsmagazine.com

Contributors G.D. MAXWELL, VINCE SHULEY, LESLIE ANTHONY,

Advertising Representatives

GLENDA BARTOSH, ANDREW MITCHELL, LISA RICHARDSON,

TESSA SWEENEY - tsweeney@wplpmedia.com ANDREW BUDRESKI - abudreski@piquenewsmagazine.com Digital/Sales Coordinator KATIE DOUGLAS - kbechtel@wplpmedia.com

LIZI MCLOUGHLIN, TOBIAS C. VAN VEEN Founding Publishers KATHY & BOB BARNETT www.piquenewsmagazine.com

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4 JANUARY 2, 2026

Pique Newsmagazine (a publication of Lodestar Media) The entire contents of Pique Newsmagazine are copyright 2026 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.

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OPENING REMARKS

Whistler in black and white WHILE NOT THE MOST glamorous of jobs, working for a newspaper comes with some clear perks. There’s the occasional free meal, of course—a godsend for underpaid, overworked reporters everywhere; comped access to local events, and direct lines to public officials and all sorts of Whistler characters. But one of the best perks of working for a newspaper has to be the natural

BY BRADEN DUPUIS documentation (and in turn the ease of annual reflection) baked into the job. Week in and week out here at Pique, we produce something physical, tangible and ultimately historical: a permanent, printed record covering the important and newsworthy issues of the day; a point-in-time glimpse, or a rearview mirror into the resort’s cultural lightning rods; a physical product you can hold in your hand, read (or burn) as you wish, and keep in a neat stack in the corner when you’re done. Revisiting those stacks of old Piques each year in late December to create our annual Year in Review feature is one of the simple joys of working in print media. Sure enough, there it all is each year, ol’ reliable—a weekly record of our lives spelled out one cover, one headline, one photo caption, one written editorial at a time. The stories and words aren’t about us, of course, but flipping through these pages, issue by issue, serves as a series of nostalgic mental guideposts for the year that was. Not every job affords such a physical, permanent sense of accomplishment at

the end of each week, or each year—so for that I’m grateful. At the same time, it also serves as a chance to look forward. What can we do better in the year ahead? What stories need to be told, and who is going to help us tell them? Well, fair readers, for the answers to those questions, we rely on you as always. Drop us a line at bdupuis@lodestarmedia.ca and share your thoughts on how Pique can best serve Whistler in 2026 and beyond. It’s sure shaping up to be an exciting year. With a municipal election scheduled for October, there’s already an undercurrent of renewed political energy swelling in town (or maybe my anxious editor brain is imagining things, and that’s just gas). Potential candidates are reaching out asking for advice, offering to buy coffee (sorry—best I can do is an email); our current elected officials are weighing whether or not to run again, or

suddenly need to be articulated, defended and, ideally, understood. That can be messy. It can also be healthy. In a place like Whistler, where growth, change and identity are in constant negotiation, municipal politics aren’t some abstract exercise. Council decisions ripple through daily life—into housing costs, traffic patterns, trail access, childcare availability, transit service, tax bills and the shape of neighbourhoods themselves. The stakes aren’t theoretical; they’re lived. That’s where local journalism earns its keep: as a steady presence in the background, asking questions, providing context and keeping the public record intact when the noise gets loud. Our job isn’t to tell you what to think, but to make sure you have the information you need to decide for yourself. Which brings us back, once again, to those stacks of old newspapers. They’re not just souvenirs. They’re receipts.

The issues to be covered in the pages of Pique leading up to election day in Whistler this fall are many and varied, including (but certainly not limited to): housing affordability, construction, and general land use—the Northlands discussion will no doubt once again be front and centre this year; growth pressures, municipal spending and tax fairness; climate and environment policy; support for transit and community services; resident engagement and civic participation; and transparency and accountability at municipal hall. To name just a few. No telling what other issues land on the agenda before voters head to the polls. And that’s just Whistler. There’s also Pemberton, and the vast expanse of the Squamish-Lillooet Regional District to consider. However it unfolds, the year ahead will be documented the same way the last ones have been: one council meeting at

However it unfolds, the year ahead will be documented the same way the last ones have been: one council meeting at a time, one bylaw, one controversy, one small community win or loss per week. When the votes are counted and the dust settles, those moments will be frozen in print— stacked neatly, imperfectly, in black and white.

when to publicly announce; the sound of pitchforks being sharpened hums throughout the valley. Who doesn’t love an election year? An election year also has a way of clarifying things. It sharpens the conversation—sometimes uncomfortably so—and forces long-simmering tensions into the open. Ideas that might otherwise drift quietly through council chambers Rare Green Lake waterfront offering on a quiet cul-de-sac, well removed from Highway 99. Featuring 116 ft of level lake frontage on one of Green Lake’s largest lots (11,316 sq ft). This updated 3 bed/2 bath home features open-concept living area, a new deck, and private dock. Enjoy southwest-facing views of Whistler’s peaks, a lakeside lawn, ample parking, and future potential to add a garage or redevelop. A truly exceptional Whistler lakefront opportunity.

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Working at a newspaper during an election can sometimes feel overwhelming. People’s political emotions tend to boil up, and at times can spill all over and just make a huge mess—on both themselves and us. But an election year is usually also a firm guarantee we won’t be bored (not to imply working in news is ever really boring—the fun never ends, as I like to say).

a time, one bylaw, one controversy, one small community win or loss per week. When the votes are counted and the dust settles, those moments will be frozen in print—stacked neatly, imperfectly, in black and white. And come next December, we’ll pull them down again, flip through the pages, and try to make sense of what Whistler chose to be this time around. n

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LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Whistler Mountain originals deserve recognition On Jan. 15, Whistler Blackcomb (now Vail Resorts) will celebrate Whistler Mountain’s 60th anniversary. It opened on that date in 1966. I was there as a ski patroller. They are planning an event dubbed the Black Diamond Party. I had contacted Vail Resorts’ communications department to ask whether the rather few remaining “originals” were going to be invited— those who volunteered a lot of time getting the ski hill up and running in those early days. Among them, Tony Lyttle, head of the FASP (First Aid Ski Patrol), who wrote the following reminiscence: “Long before the lifts were built, I took a helicopter ride with Franz Wilhelmsen to the top of Whistler to view the terrain and discuss the requirements for patrolling the mountain. Even shortly before the mountain was to open there were still no signs for the hills so some of us started painting rough signs on plywood indicating closed areas, direction signs and other warning signs. This was all done on the floor of the cafeteria. Also, the mountain had very little snow-clearing machinery. I still recall us getting up early each morning to dig out the T-bar and the other various lifts.

certainly not invited as guests of honour, but offered “priority” on ticket purchase, and there would be recognition beyond the potential for a few informal iPhone clips shared on social media—”short stories, no longer than one minute each.” What this says to me is that Vail Resorts, lacking any real corporate memory, does not attribute any importance to recognizing those who helped out so much in those early days. So sad! Peter Frinton // Retired ski patroller, Whistler Mountain (1966-’72)

Think ‘boldly and creatively’ on Whistler’s 2026 budget A version of this letter was sent to Whistler’s mayor and council, and shared with Pique. “Some weeks before the mountain opened up, some of us were helping hang the chairs on the red chair and also load-testing the gondola. The first try at loading the gondola resulted in a complete failure in that some of the gondolas were dragging on the ground near the bottom. The sandbags had to be unloaded and the cable retensioned and then the sandbags loaded again. It all worked out eventually. “The second thing that came to mind was skiing the ‘toilet bowl.’ My first

experience was before the mountain opened when Stefan (Ples) and I were asked to go up and over to the T-bar to retrieve some radios as we were the only ones around who could ski. Unfortunately it was getting late and by the time we started back down, the Red Chair was stopped and it was getting dark. By the time we reached the Toilet Bowl it was completely dark and we had no headlamps. Need I say more!” Vail Resorts wrote back that, no, there were to be no interviews with the “originals,”

As someone who has called this remarkable place home for 51 years— from our Alta Lake days through Whistler’s incredible transformation—I feel a profound connection to our community’s story with historic knowledge that could be of value. Having had the privilege of serving as an elected representative myself, I understand the weight of the decisions you face and the genuine desire to serve our residents well.

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LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

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reduce the number of people exposed at once. When stopping, select safe locations well out of avalanche terrain, and move deliberately from one safe spot to the next. Before committing to any slope, pause and ask a few key questions: Where would an avalanche go? Where would I go? Is there a safer option nearby? Planning an escape route and identifying safer travel features—such as ridges, ribs, dense trees, or lower-angle slopes—can significantly reduce exposure. Human factors also play a role. Familiarity with an area, group dynamics, or the pressure to “just keep going” can subtly influence decisions. Creating space for discussion and encouraging everyone to speak up helps counter these. Ultimately, conservative terrain choices don’t make a day less rewarding, they make it sustainable. Thoughtful terrain management allows you to enjoy the backcountry while keeping risk in check, day after day. n

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LETTERS TO THE EDITOR << FROM PAGE 8 Council’s Strategic Priority No. 3 emphasizes community engagement—a value I know we all hold dear. Could this be put to use brainstorming revenue generation opportunities? I have a few. In a town like Whistler there must be many others. I wholeheartedly support the investments in our RCMP and fire department—these are the people who keep our families safe, and they deserve our full commitment. The water and sewer upgrades are equally vital. Our infrastructure is the foundation that allows everything else we love about Whistler to flourish. I’m also encouraged by the philosophy of renewing and replacing service infrastructure. This same thoughtful approach should guide our decisions about municipal buildings. The Meadow Park Sports Centre repairs show we can breathe new life into existing structures. Meanwhile, our Municipal Hall and public service buildings might serve us better through replacement. Higher and better uses are obvious for the property they and other municipal services presently occupy. Here’s where I need to speak from the heart about something affecting many in our community: the cumulative burden on property owners, particularly those of us on fixed incomes.

10 JANUARY 2, 2026

The forecasted property tax increases— while each individually justified—add up to a 38-per-cent increase for me between 2023 and 2026. That’s significant for a retired senior, but I understand the reality of rising costs. Taking notice of comments from Mayor Jack at a recent council meeting, who stated that half a billion dollars of infrastructure spending commitments are required over the coming years, I believe pay parking and user fees are not able to achieve what will ultimately be expected from property taxation. What concerns me more is the bigger picture: The province has introduced two new school tax levies that have doubled my annual property tax expense. Plans are to expand this policy to apply on properties of $1-million thresholds. The federal government is considering taxing property equity. We know the RMOW doesn’t control these other levels of government (all of which now share a common ideology) with a need to acknowledge the cumulative impact on the people served. Are we actively creating a community where fewer and fewer people can afford to call Whistler home? This is where I’d love to invite council to think boldly and creatively—not out of desperation, but out of opportunity. What if we looked beyond the traditional tool kit of parking meters and property tax increases? What if we explored innovative approaches

that our unique position makes possible? Creating rather than taking wealth. For instance: Water as a valued resource: Making consumption-based pricing more robust—not just covering costs, but using it strategically to offset other municipal expenses while encouraging conservation. Move this beyond discussion to action item.

“I’m not suggesting we abandon fiscal responsibility— quite the opposite.” - STEVE ANDERSON

Leveraging community assets: We own valuable property with tremendous potential. Public-private partnerships could transform underutilized spaces into revenue generators while creating the affordable housing our community desperately needs. Municipalities have the enviable ability of re-zoning. Thus achieving the higher and better use available on parcels we own. Thinking big: Imagine the vision of our pioneers—the dreamers who saw a town centre at the base of two mountains.

What would they do today? Perhaps two or three levels of parking on Lots 1 and 2, topped with mixed market and restricted housing. A public-private partnership that generates returns to fund those essential 2027-2030 projects while creating a community amenity. This dovetails perfectly with the recent OCP amendment to comply with Provincial Bill C-16 concerning urban growth adjacent to transit hubs. I’m not suggesting we abandon fiscal responsibility—quite the opposite. I’m suggesting we honour the entrepreneurial, “can-do” spirit that built Whistler by expanding our vision of what’s possible. Instead of solely relying on user fees, property taxes, and senior government funding (which, as we all know, is increasingly uncertain), let’s embrace creative solutions that could transform our five-year plan into something truly visionary. The $186 million in projected costs for 2027-2030 is significant—but what if we could fund these investments in ways that strengthen rather than strain our community? What if we could create revenue streams that allow local homeowners not just to survive, but to thrive in place? Without being forced to sell. I offer these thoughts to community and RMOW leadership with respect for your service and genuine hope for our shared future. Steve Anderson // Whistler n

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NEWS WHISTLER

Whistler council weighs final Cheakamus Crossing buildout PROPOSED LOT 6 PLAN WOULD ADD UP TO 300 HOMES OVER THREE PHASES, STARTING IN 2026

BY LUKE FAULKS THE WHISTLER Development Corporation

(WDC) has unveiled a preliminary development plan for Lot 6—the last undeveloped parcel in Cheakamus Crossing Phase 2—proposing a phased buildout that could eventually deliver up to 300 new homes, according to an early projection. “No other sites exist that are readily serviceable and can deliver ‘shovel ready’ sites in a timely manner,” according to a report from the WDC received by council Dec. 16. “The earliest that vertical construction could start on the next project is mid 2027 and any delays in decision-making will mean that no new projects can start for almost three years. With the high known demand for affordable housing, action within the near term is critical.” In the best-case scenario, the first housing units in Lot 6 could be ready by late 2029.

THE LAST PIECE OF PHASE 2

The 18-acre (7.3-hectare) Lot 6 site, located at the northern end of Mount Fee Road,

LOT COMMODITY Lot 6 could accommodate hundreds of new units on an 18-acre (7.3-hectare) site by decade’s end. PHOTO COURTESY OF THE WHISTLER DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION

12 JANUARY 2, 2026

has long been earmarked for development. The land was originally zoned as part of a 2006 community land bank agreement, and infrastructure was extended to the site boundary during earlier phases of Cheakamus development. The plan contemplates a phased development that would begin with delivery of three “shovel-ready” parcels by 2027. These parcels—referred to as A, B, and C—could accommodate apartment-style housing similar in form and scale to Lot 5, which is scheduled to welcome tenants by September 2026. A potential density outlook prepared by WDC shows Parcel A alone could house more than 100 units. According to the report, site work for Lot 6 would begin in March 2026, with vertical construction starting midway through 2027 “at the earliest.” WDC development lead John Morley cautioned that timeline is “best-case scenario,” with several permits—site alteration, additional subdivision and rezoning to add apartments as a permitted use—still required. The proposed capital investment for the first phase of construction is roughly $4 million, with $2.5 million already spent on utilities to the site boundary. “We’re looking at about $4 million of additional capital to deliver these three sites,” said Morley. “The focus was making sure we phased the site work just to minimize the capital requirements to get these shovel-ready sites.”

Morley added the reserve fund established from earlier phases— particularly the $20 million netted from Lot 4’s River Run market housing— should allow the first phase of Lot 6 to proceed “without additional borrowing or funding.”

PARALLEL PLANNING AND LONG-TERM OUTLOOK

Council expressed cautious optimism about the plan, praising WDC’s past successes and urging the team to retain flexibility in site preparation. Councillor Cathy Jewett called the proposal “very exciting,” estimating that Whistler currently had some 400 units in the pipeline before the addition of Lot 6. She asked Morley and WDC president Eric Martin whether the WDC had conducted an analysis of demand for new housing. “I think we’ve done well on Lot 3 and Lot 5 by having shovel-ready sites and being able to take advantage of those,” said Martin. “If we wait and we find there is demand, which we suspect there will be, and we don’t have sites, we can’t do anything about it. And here we sit—and that’s exactly what happened in 2018. We sat on our hands and did nothing for four years.” The WDC team warned site work should begin no later than April 2026 to avoid wildlife nesting season and wildfire risk. “If we miss that window, we miss the

window, and there’s no recovery, so you’re basically taking another year,” said Martin. “You might do some stuff in the fall, but you’re behind at least six months.” The current zoning allows for 6,885 square metres of buildable area on Lot 6, but the WDC believes there’s potential to return to the original allocation of 12,450 sq. m. or even exceed it. Roads and services, they say, are not a limiting factor. “The infrastructure to date that’s terminated just at the site boundary is built for much more,” said Martin. “Even if we ratcheted up the density a fair amount, we’re still within those bounds.” The servicing and development plan for Lot 6 acknowledges concerns over preempting the still-underway Municipal Land Strategy, which aims to evaluate all Resort Municipality of Whistler-owned land for long-term community uses. The WDC acknowledged the parallel processes, but insisted Lot 6 should not be delayed. “We fully support [the Land Strategy], but we believe that Lot 6 should move in parallel with that. If there is an opportunity that comes out of that strategy work, then we can always opt to go in a different direction—but we don’t feel like we should be losing any time,” Martin said. The WDC is seeking council’s endorsement “in principle” to proceed with Lot 6 development and has already prepared an application for a site alteration permit. Council ultimately referred the plan to staff for review. n

NEWS WHISTLER

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THE TWO-TERM MAYOR REFLECTS ON THE RESORT MUNICIPALITY’S WORK IN 2025 AND PREVIEWS THE YEAR AHEAD

BY LUKE FAULKS WITH ANOTHER year in the tank, Pique

sat down with Mayor Jack Crompton to talk all things Whistler—from how the municipality is addressing its persistent worker housing challenges, to the climatic changes driving one of the slowest starts to the ski season in years, to the big moments you can expect from the Resort Municipality of Whistler (RMOW) in the year to come. The following discussion has been edited for length and clarity. PIQUE: Whistler’s housing situation continues to be top of mind for residents. How do you assess progress on the housing file in 2025? JACK CROMPTON: The RMOW has delivered on housing. Since 2018, the RMOW, Whistler Development Corporation (WDC) and Whistler Housing Authority (WHA) have constructed over $350 million of nonmarket worker housing. That is something to be very pleased with. Affordability for Whistler workers and families remains council’s highest priority. We continue to take a housingfirst approach. I’m really pleased to see those apartment buildings coming out of the ground so fast, especially in the context of a slowing construction market in British Columbia more generally. The investments from a federal level in the Housing Accelerator Fund has allowed us to do a tremendous amount of planning work that will serve us very well in the long run. This year, we were allowed by some of that funding to add

• Every detail thoughtfully appointed

FILE PHOTO

some really progressive and intentional planning to that construction. I think we’re well set up to continue our momentum on housing and build on it. If there’s one thing I’ve learned about our housing partners here, it’s that ‘really good’ is not good enough. We remain committed to doing even better than we have. When you’re developing new housing, how do you strike the balance between maintaining the character of a neighbourhood—the character of original Whistler—versus keeping up with housing needs? You’ve probably seen that dynamic most in our work around the Whistler Creek West neighbourhood plan. Staff did a tremendous amount of work setting a framework for the redevelopment and incremental infill while maintaining community character. That’s our goal every time we take on a redevelopment opportunity. We want to maintain what makes Whistler special and allow for more people to access the housing in whatever development is being considered. I’m really pleased with the outcomes of the Whistler Creek West neighbourhood plan because it balances community character and housing for workers and residents. I could not be more grateful to the people that volunteer their time at the WDC and the WHA to ensure that we have housing that really represents our community and gives people homes. This year, we’ve had wildfires up and down the valley, floods up in Pemberton and a late start for the

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JANUARY 2, 2026

NEWS WHISTLER << FROM PAGE 13 ski season. What were the most important steps the RMOW took this year on the climate file? The unfortunate headline on climate is that we are not hitting our community climate targets. I will say changes at other orders of government can make our targets more difficult to hit. Their decisions have the biggest impact on our ability to hit climate targets. For example, we have put in a significant amount of electric-vehicle charging equipment in our parking lots. If the EV mandate goes away, there will be less cars to plug into that infrastructure. The decisions we make here are very much connected to decisions made at other parts of government. But we haven’t given up by any means. Climate remains one of our key priorities. We continue to grow our transit service. We continue to move forward on building better buildings. The most effective work we’ve done on climate is certainly around transportation. There are big opportunities in that regard moving forward. We intend to grow our transit service. We intend to grow our walking and cycling infrastructure. Those are big, important steps. Whistler businesses are struggling with rising costs. What kind of

14 JANUARY 2, 2026

tools does the municipality have to ease operating pressures on local business owners? We don’t have direct access to the relationship between the landlord and their tenant. We’ve really focused our attention on ensuring that workers have access to housing. As a community, we have long been of the opinion that a housing-first approach serves workers and the businesses they work in best. The investments we’ve made over the last few years on housing are substantial. I think that’s the path we’ll continue along. What are some of your and council’s key priorities for the election year ahead? We’ll be hiring a new CAO, which will be one of the most important decisions council makes in the last year of this term. Ginny Cullen has served this community unbelievably well and we’re deeply grateful for how she leads us. We will be entering the Northlands official process, most likely moving into Phase 3. That will be a fascinating community conversation. It already has been. We’ve established our Smart Tourism Vision. Putting that to work in 2026 is incredibly interesting and important. The work around the Housing Accelerator Fund has created a big, long

to-do list, which we will be taking on in 2026. We’ll be starting conversations on finding the next site for comprehensive development for worker housing. That’s an interesting and important process. There will be a conversation about all municipal lands and how they are used in the future. We just received the municipal lands inventory, which is incredibly important for us in understanding what our strategy will be around the use of municipal lands going forward. Land use is one of the primary jurisdictions of local government. You can do that well and you can do that poorly. I’m pleased and proud that we’ve been doing that well over the last few years and intend to see that continue. What were some of your favourite community events that took place this past year in Whistler? Invictus was amazing. It was special to welcome the world to our town again. Having Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in town was a fascinating process. Most interesting and inspiring was working with the Squamish, the Lil’wat, the Musqueam and the Tsleil-Waututh on delivering an Indigenous-led Games. Winterlight was amazing. We’ve learned that really lighting up all at once is a great way to start the winter season. I’m incredibly proud of the team at the RMOW for how they’ve turned up the village early in December.

The 50th-anniversary celebrations were so much fun. It was a lot of fun to finish the 50th celebrations with the Freedom of the Municipality ‘five for 50,’ acknowledging Steve Bayly, Allison Burns Joseph, Doug Forseth, John Hetherington and Alison Pascal’s commitment to Whistler. I think it really resonated for our community to celebrate the people that had brought us to this place, who had imagined it and built it, and the people who will take us from here. ‘Trailblazers to Tomorrow-makers,’ I thought was a fitting concept for this year’s 50th celebrations. Cornucopia, Crankworx; it’s a lot of fun when this community turns on for a festival of something to care about. Celebrating mountain biking works here. Celebrating food and wine works here. Celebrating ski and snowboarding works here. I’m someone who makes sure I am around when those events happen and this year they were special. What big events are you looking forward to in 2026? The first of two huge things coming up in 2026 is WB’s 60th. I’m really excited to celebrate skiing here over 60 years. And then the 2026 Winter Olympics. There are a bunch of kids who were born and raised in this community who will be competing in Milano Cortina 2026. Getting around TVs and cheering those kids on is something I’m really looking forward to. n

NEWS WHISTLER

Limited holiday release Whistler mountain snowfall collection

EAGLE-EYED A juvenile bald eagle feeds on a dead salmon lining the riverbank having completed its journey. The circle of life.

PHOTO BY ALEX MCCARTNEY

Naturespeak: Capturing eagles—a glimpse into an ecosystem BY ALEX MCCARTNEY MY BREATH ROSE like miniature clouds as I stepped out of the car, the sun poking through in tiny rays as I headed along the path that makes up the Brackendale Eagle Run, where thousands of bald eagles come every November to nest and feed on the salmon passing through the river on their annual salmon run heading up to breed, deep in the rivers that crisscross British Columbia. But it’s not just the eagles themselves that fascinate me about this place. It’s the multitude of separate ecological systems that collide here in perfect harmony, the story of the British Columbian temperate rainforests. Although known for the “Eagle Run,” Brackendale is really a story of the salmon, the life-and-death cycle of the species sustaining much of the flora and fauna of the region. The several species of salmon making up the salmon run of British Columbia are part of the diets of more than 137 different animals native to B.C., making them the most universal food sources of predators and scavengers across the region. Epic images of grizzly bears snatching them out of shallow rapids perhaps come foremost to mind, but the reality is salmon are more often the targets of scavengers than active predation. Being what we describe as explosive breeders, salmon often put so much energy into the birth of their young that they die shortly afterwards, lining the shores of the rivers and streams where they can be a familiar sight in late fall. The carcasses missed by scavengers will slowly decay, releasing oceanic nutrients into the soil and fertilizing the otherwise nutrient-starved, ancient forests. These carcasses can account for more than 80 per cent of the nitrogen within the ecosystem. It’s inarguable that salmon are cornerstones of the regeneration and fertilization of this region, but the environment shapes them as they shape

it. Picky breeders, salmon runs will only occur in the cleanest rivers, and the unique geography and geology of the Pacific Coast make it an ideal host for such events. Huge glaciers feeding many of the streams contain vast densities of nutrients picked up through the glacial erosion of the bedrock, and plunging waterfalls help oxygenate this water further. Put together, it makes for a truly unique story, through the alignment of so many different elements. All this ran through my head as I walked towards the river for the third time this year. It was becoming a daily pilgrimage, as it had already been a yearly pilgrimage. Capturing the contrast between the young eagle and the dead or dying salmon had

Although known for the “Eagle Run,” Brackendale is really a story of the salmon... become something of an obsession for me. The cyclical nature of life, the bedrock of ecology, seems to linger in the air with the screech of the eagles and reek of dead salmon lining the shore. As I slowly walked along the shoreline, I spotted a juvenile bald eagle feasting on a salmon carcass just opposite me. I carefully positioned myself at eye level and began to snap away as the golden glow of dawn spread across the water. It felt like a satisfactory result for all involved. The eagle got its meal, the salmon had laid its eggs, ensuring the continuation of the salmon run. And I had finally got my photo. Naturespeak is prepared by the Whistler Naturalists. To learn more about Whistler’s natural world, go to whistlernaturalists.ca. n

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JANUARY 2, 2026

FIFTY YEARS OF FREEDOM

Cheximiya Allison Burns Joseph MARCH 22, 1988-

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 FOR SOMEONE WHO didn’t realize she had signed up to work in Whistler, Allison Burns Joseph has adjusted pretty well. “I was working at Home Sense in Park Royal when I went to the Squamish Nation employment centre to help someone find a job,” she recalls. “And the receptionist asked me if I had a job. And I said yes. And she asked if I liked it, and I was like, I don’t know, I just started. And she said: ‘I have a job for you. Do you have your resume?’” Allison updated her resume and filled in the application. A few days later, while working at Home Sense, she got the call. “The Home Sense people said jobs that hire so quickly don’t usually last.” But… “I’ve been here 17 years, so yeah, I feel like I’m pretty committed.” “Here” is the Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre (SLCC). Allison has been with the SLCC since before it opened in 2008. She has done everything from washing dishes and working retail to leading tours and guest services. She is currently co-director of culture and manager of the Indigenous Youth Ambassador (IYA) program. The ambassador program laid the foundation for Allison—and hundreds of other Indigenous youths. Allison took it in 2006 after graduating from North Vancouver’s Carson Graham Secondary School. She took it again when she joined the SLCC in 2008, and discovered she’d be working in Whistler. Open to anyone of Indigenous descent and willing to learn, students in the IYA program gain experience through a variety of positions at the cultural centre. They work closely with WorkBC throughout the three-month program so they also have opportunities outside the SLCC after graduation. The program is now accredited with Capilano University and BCIT. “I am so proud of all of our youth ambassadors who are still within our building or outside of the building,” Allison says. “They’re creating families, going into post-secondary education, working inside and outside of the community. And all the people who still help mould our current and future IYA intakes till this day. I do really raise my hands up to each and every one of them.” With the most recent cohort finishing their program on Dec. 13, there are now about 600 graduates of the IYA program. At one time funded by Service Canada, the program is today supported by a variety

16 JANUARY 2, 2026

PHOTO BY DAVID BUZZARD / COURTESY OF THE RESORT MUNICIPALITY OF WHISTLER

of partners, including Indigenous Tourism B.C., Native Northwest, the Whistler Blackcomb Foundation, 100 Women Who Care and the Sea to Sky Gondola. The funding partnerships reflect the SLCC’s role—and Allison’s—in the growing relationship between Indigenous and nonIndigenous communities. That relationship was emphasized in 2021 after ground surveys found the suspected remains of 215 people near the former Kamloops Indian Residential School. “The support that we felt when the 215 was announced,” Allison recalls, “the overwhelming amount of people who would come and just be here and support us. It was just a really great feeling to have the community support us at that time— and to continue to do so.” That support is not only in moments of stress. There are regulars who come by for coffee, the new donut flavour of the week, a new exhibit or just to hang out. “It’s such a welcome feeling to be there and have so many people come back time and time again and really connect and check in with us,” Allison says. “We have great partnerships with the Fairmont, Four

Seasons, Moguls and so many businesses. And the teachers that are part of the local schools are always so excited to tell us when they’re coming with their classes. “It’s just such a nice feeling to have so much connection within the Whistler community. And so many people are proud of the work that we do.” Allison’s own work—traditional wool weaving, and its importance in Squamish culture—can be seen in displays at the SLCC. She began weaving in 2008, when Chief Janice George and Buddy Joseph did a one-day class with her IYA group. “And I just kept going from there on my own and really just looking at other pieces, books, internet, things like that,” she says. “Just trial and error until that opportunity came when I was able to really deep dive as an apprentice.” That opportunity came in 2018, when Chief George and Joseph returned. Weaving was the focus of the three-month apprenticeship, but it was also a cultural mentorship. “It was very natural in the way that it took place and the main focus was on the weaving. But, of course, through conversation and questions and more and more pieces, information was shared that

connects with culture,” Allison says. “It is a huge connection to my people and to this place.” People and place seem like simple concepts, until lawyers and politicians get involved. Allison has always known she is Squamish—she has studied the language, earning her proficiency certificate from SFU’s Indigenous Languages Program— but Canada didn’t recognize her status as Indigenous until she was in her 20s. Under the Indian Act of 1985, “status” was based on a patriarchal definition, i.e.: Indigenous status passed down from men through generations. But if a woman married a non-Indigenous man she lost her status. Allison’s grandmother married a nonIndigenous man, as did her mother. In the late 1980s Sharon McIvor launched a legal challenge (McIvor vs Canada) arguing the Indian Act discriminated on the basis of sex and marital status, and that such discrimination is prohibited by the Charter of Rights and Freedoms. The challenge was successful, but it took nearly 30 years and eventually involved the United Nations Human Rights Committee as well as courts in B.C. and Ottawa. Allison got the call that her status would be recognized while she was on a bus coming back from an Indigenous Tourism B.C. conference. “I was crying my eyes out on a bus, a big passenger bus with so many individuals that had no idea what was going on. And then finally we had a break and I was able to catch my breath and share my news with everybody.” The relief was overwhelming. “It really was because I was so scared that if I were to pass away, that I wouldn’t be able to be buried with my own people, because you need to be a community member to be buried in our cemeteries, and to vote and to have a say and to make changes. So, I never thought I would have that opportunity,” she says. “And now I’ve been able to vote and be more connected to the community. And it’s been really nice to have those benefits of being within the community.” Allison was one of about 30 women who were formally “blanketed” and welcomed back to the Squamish Nation in a ceremony following the court ruling. “It was really, really exciting to know that I really was a part of that family, part of that community,” she says. “And that’s kind of a similar feeling that I get with receiving this (Freedom of the Resort Municipality of Whistler) award. It’s really solidifying that I am a part of the Whistler family and community.” Allison was presented with the Freedom of the Resort Municipality of Whistler during a celebration at the SLCC on Dec. 11, 2025. This is Part 18 in a 21-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. n

NEWS PEMBERTON

Province balks at Hurley funding ask; SLRD invests $40k in Bridge River digital access FUNDING FROM THE REGIONAL DISTRICT WILL GO TOWARDS 60.93KM OF FIBRE-OPTIC CABLE, SERVING 405 HOUSEHOLDS IN THE BRV

BY LUKE FAULKS STRETCHING ACROSS a vast and remote swath of the Bridge River Valley (BRV), the Hurley Forest Service Road serves as a key connection between communities, recreation areas and essential services. But worsening road conditions and limited cellular coverage prompted calls for provincial action on infrastructure and safety at a Dec. 17 Squamish-Lillooet Regional District (SLRD) board meeting. The Hurley is currently graded only three times per year under an annual agreement struck in 2014. The agreement has not been updated since 2015. SLRD Area A director Sal DeMare had warned in September the route has become “essential [for] economic development initiatives” and was seeing “a significant increase in vehicle traffic without any corresponding increase in the annual maintenance program/budget.” In an Oct. 9 letter to minister Ravi Parmar, SLRD board chair Jen Ford described the current service level as a safety risk: “This creates serious safety concerns for residents, visitors, and

WINDING ROAD After urging Victoria to update a decade-old maintenance agreement for the increasingly busy Hurley Forest Service Road, the Squamish-Lillooet Regional District has received a tepid response that leaves the door open for further talks. PHOTO BY SÉBASTIEN LAUNAY

tourists, particularly on steep sections and during summer droughts when grading is limited due to fire risk.” In a response dated Nov. 19, assistant deputy minister of forests Jamie Jeffreys acknowledged the SLRD’s request to revisit the Hurley maintenance agreement, but said “changes related to funding levels or requests outside the current policy are not being considered at this time.” Jeffreys added the Hurley was “never intended as a primary public access route,” and pointed to alternative access via Highway 40. However, SLRD officials noted Highway 40 had been closed for several days during the week of the board’s discussion due to debris on the road, raising concerns about the province’s ability to provide redundant access. Despite rejecting a funding increase, the Ministry of Forests did extend an invitation to meet, prompting directors to propose a delegation. Whistler Mayor Jack Crompton and Pemberton Mayor Mike Richman called for clarifying the SLRD’s specific ask before meeting. DeMare and Area C director Russell Mack are expected to communicate with staff to iron out the request before meeting with provincial officials. Staff will report back to the board after the meeting with the province.

$40K FOR LOCAL FIBRE DESIGN, SUPPORT FOR CELL TOWER EXPANSION

While the Hurley funding remains unresolved, the SLRD Board offered

concrete support to two local telecom initiatives aimed at improving digital connectivity in rural parts of the region. First, the board approved a $40,000 grant from Electoral Area A’s BC Hydro PILT Reserve Funds to support engineering and design work for a fibre-optic network in the Upper Bridge River Valley. The request came from the Minto Communications Society (MCS), a nonprofit internet provider serving the area since 2008. According to the society, the funds will support the transition from its current radio-based system to a fibreoptic one after the federal government auctioned off the radio spectrum currently used by the Society. The fibre-optic upgrade will increase capacity, reliability and resiliency, according to the Society. “MCS has experienced over 100-percent increase in network traffic volume” in the past year, their letter notes. “A fibre network will significantly improve capacity to meet increasing traffic volumes for the foreseeable future.” DeMare, who made the motion, described the project as vital. “The 2023 Downton Lake wildfire caused major damage to essential infrastructure,” he said. “This fibre optic cable project is the next step in making improvements to the performance and resilience of the system.” The new network will include 60.93 kilometres of aerial and buried fibre cable and serve five areas in the BRV, reaching 405 households. The board also voted to send a letter

of support for a separate rural cell tower expansion spearheaded by Lytton Area Wireless Society (Lyttonnet). The project aims to bring cellular coverage to large uncovered sections of Highways 12, 99 and 40, as well as 856 un-serviced private properties in the SLRD and ThompsonNicola Regional District and 40 First Nations communities and reserves. Lyttonnet plans to use existing broadband towers to minimize environmental impact and speed deployment. The group is partnering with Freedom Mobile for spectrum and network integration and has applied for funding through the Northern Development Initiative Trust. DeMare noted the use of existing towers would help ease concerns over the construction of new cellular infrastructure, which BRV residents have opposed in previous surveys. District of Squamish director Chris Pettingill suggested future projects like the Lyttonnet expansion and MCS fibre optic cable include specific provisions for working with First Nations, per the SLRD’s recently passed reconciliation guide. Board members expressed enthusiastic support for the project. “I’m just thrilled Lyttonnet is looking at doing this,” said Director Vivian BirchJones. “These [communities] are really quite remote and so this will really be a game-changer for them and might help with overall economic development. Safety first, but there’s a whole bunch of other considerations, like kids being able to study at home.” n

JANUARY 2, 2026

THE OUTSIDER

A Christmas Miracle WHEN THE CARDS turn in your favour,

there’s no better time to double down. This is how skiing Whistler Blackcomb ended for 2025. It was a rough start to the winter for us in the Pacific Northwest. Revelstoke was bragging about its two-man-high snowpack. Mt. Baker lost almost all of its snowpack in the atmospheric rivers that battered Washington state. Whistler

BY VINCE SHULEY was teased over and over again, with the cooler temperatures that would make all the difference. But a stubbornly high freezing level kept all but the top fifth of the mountain in dire straits. Morale was low and spirits were lower. Everyone was hoping for the same thing—the intensity of an atmospheric river colliding with arctic chill. Would the patience of optimistic skiers and snowboarders finally be rewarded? Or were we in for another one of “those years?” The week of Christmas, something changed. The tail of this big, wet storm kept lashing back like the flaming whip of the Balrog. The ground was cold. The unmistakable feel of winter began to show up once more, and it decided

MOUNTAIN MIRACLE A week-long storm system reignited skiing in Whistler over the Christmas break. PHOTO BY VINCE SHULEY

to hang around this time. Whistler was about to get its just desserts. Three days before Christmas, 23 centimetres fell. The flurries and weak systems of the previous few days had not given much sign of this rapid increase in intensity. Snow was reaching the valley, and the cold temperatures were holding. And everything was right on time for Whistler’s busiest time of year.

snowing on Christmas Day, after a dusting of three cm overnight, the skies parted to a bluebird day on the mountain. The sun was out, the stoke was high, and people were… nowhere to be seen. Folks seem to take their time getting to the mountain on Christmas Day, but on this Christmas Day, they never seemed to show up in the afternoon. Peak Chair cracked early before people could even line up, rewarding the Christmas keeners with optimal midwinter alpine skiing.

TUESDAY

FRIDAY

MONDAY

Thirty-one cm. The bump in the snowpack that finally gave the mid-mountain the

Would the patience of optimistic skiers and snowboarders finally be rewarded? Or were we in for another one of “those years?” coverage it so sorely needed. Was Santa gifting us early with a ski out? Sliding back to your vehicle in Lot 8 was no longer a roll of the dice. Snow guns were firing at every opportunity.

WEDNESDAY

On Christmas Eve, the storm relented somewhat, but gave a very handsome 14 cm to top up the coverage. Skiing was all-time, and the mountain was still in mid-week mode with thin crowds and quick chairs. Just the way we like it.

THURSDAY

Bucking Whistler’s historical trend of

18 JANUARY 2, 2026

But the best was yet to come. Almost out of nowhere, a storm blew in during the

late hours of Christmas night, burying the valley. The snow report was 16 cm overnight, but people were pushing twice that off their cars in the morning. The highway slowed, but didn’t close. Yet the skiing that day felt like a landslide had cut off all skier traffic south of Function Junction. Never in recent memory has Boxing Day felt so quiet, the hill so empty and the powder so plentiful. Whistler Blackcomb was back, and it didn’t bring the crowds with it. At least for a couple of days. In any normal year, this sort of ramp up to a season turnaround wouldn’t turn any heads. But this year hit different.

Maybe it was all the brutal atmospheric rivers. Maybe it was the low-tide season start across the American west with high temps and dry outlooks. Maybe it was a feeling that the last two seasons—despite some great days and even a few great weeks—have felt decidedly mediocre overall, at least when you compare them to what we’re used to. The year of 2025 has been a rough one for many people as we negotiate our volatile political environment as a country and our physical environment as a planet. Hope has proved elusive for many trying to make ends meet in our inflated economic reality. Despite our best efforts, most of these factors are out of our control and we just have to keep putting one foot in front of the other and doing the best we can every day. Great skiing won’t fix the world’s problems. It won’t even fix most of our own life challenges. But you can take a rough week of work or a terrible turn of luck and put a smile on your face just by sliding down a mountain. Cover that mountain with copious amounts of snow like what we received during 2025’s Christmas week, and that effect is multiplied tenfold. Eerily empty slopes on (what is historically) one of the busiest days of the year is proof that crowds are not always going to ruin your skiing experience here. With all the ups and downs, I feel 2025 couldn’t have ended much better. The excellent skiing probably had something to do with it. Vince Shuley is feeling winter normal again. For questions, comments or suggestions for The Outsider, email vince.shuley@gmail. com or Instagram @whis_vince. n

Happy New Year

From The Aloha Whistler Accommodations Team

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JANUARY 2, 2026

FEATURE STORY

WHISTLER A YEAR OF CELEBRATIONS

f 2025 proved anything, it’s that Whistler knows how to mark a milestone—even when the milestones land stacked on top of each other like powder turns on a bluebird morning. The year kicked off with one of the most significant events in the resort’s recent memory: the Invictus Games Vancouver Whistler 2025. From Feb. 8 to 16, adaptive athletes from more than 20 countries descended on the resort, transforming the village into a celebration of resilience and recovery. Competitors tested themselves on snow and ice, from alpine skiing to skeleton at the Whistler Sliding Centre, while Whistler’s streets and venues became an “Invictus Village” of music, shared stories and free, accessible programming. It was more than sport; it was a reminder of why Whistler matters beyond tourism. But 2025 was also the year Whistler’s municipal machinery hit a major birthday: 50 years since the Resort Municipality of Whistler’s (RMOW) incorporation. Council, staff and community groups spent much of the year planning how to mark the occasion, and celebrations extended throughout the calendar and honoured both the resort’s history and future ambitions. Capping it all off was the kick-off to Whistler Blackcomb’s 60th anniversary (a celebration that will carry on into 2026). The dual anniversaries represent the storied success of Whistler’s ongoing project: of heritage and reinvention in equal measure, tethering memories of lifts and local legends to daily life in a resort town still defining what “community” means in an ever-changing economy.

A (HOSTILE) ENVIRONMENT?

histler’s natural beauty has always been its calling card— but in 2025 the wilderness around town didn’t just look stunning. Sometimes it looked downright uneasy. In summer, eyes turned toward the mountainsides as vast swaths of forest began to blush—not from autumn, but

the community debate from “Did you see that bear?” to “Are we doing enough to prevent these tragedies?” Conservation officers stressed the risks of feeding wildlife and the consequences of people and animals occupying shared spaces without clear boundaries. Red trees and wildfires. Predators showing up on busy trails. A mama bear killed in a residential neighbourhood. It has been, at times, an uncomfortable year to live beside the wild. But as these stories filtered through town—and through Pique’s pages—the subtext wasn’t panic. It was reckoning: with climate change, development, and with the uneasy geometry of “living with nature” in 2025.

AT THE COUNCIL TABLE

f Whistler’s environment has been restless, its municipal governance has been no less busy. Perhaps the defining issue of the year was the long-running Northlands rezoning—the large parcel north of Whistler Village eyed for a transformative mix of housing, commercial space and amenities. Council advanced the project into a fall 2025 public consultation phase, seeking input on density, design and community benefits—even as some residents continued to scrutinize projected land-value increases and assumptions embedded in the rezoning model. What will become of the Whistler Racket Club? Another one to watch in 2026. Housing, as always, was a budgetary and political battleground. Council presented its 2025 Corporate Plan and Annual Report, spotlighting housing, climate priorities and tourism drivers against tight fiscal pressures. Stakeholder groups, including

2025 YEAR YEAR IN IN REVIEW REVIEW By Pique staff

environmental advocates like AWARE, pushed for climate action to be “nonnegotiable” in budget deliberations, arguing the cost of inaction—from wildfire risk to infrastructure stress—must be reflected in spending priorities. The municipal budget process juggled competing demands: affordable housing, environmental stewardship, services for a growing population, and the legacy cost pressures familiar to every Canadian resort town. Towards the end of the year, council advanced 2026 budget guidelines incorporating a 6.9-per-cent tax increase after voting to shift more of the local tax burden onto recreational properties like Whistler Blackcomb. From land use to bylaws, housing supply to climate strategy, council’s work in 2025 illustrated the give and take of growth management and long-term planning. The issues raised around the table reverberate well beyond the chambers at municipal hall. And with Whistler set to elect a new mayor and council in October 2026, you can expect the discussion to ramp up on all fronts as we move into the new year.

AROUND TOWN Councillors Jeff Murl, Cathy Jewett and Jessie Morden pose with Mayor Michio Tsuchiya, of Whistler’s Japanese sister city Karuizawa, and Whistler Mayor Jack Crompton, during the resort’s 50th-anniversary celebrations this year. PHOTO BY OISIN MCHUGH / COURTESY OF THE RESORT MUNICIPALITY OF WHISTLER

from infestation. Trees across Whistler, particularly in areas above Function Junction and along Sproatt and Rainbow Mountains, showed reddish needles, the telltale sign of a Western spruce budworm outbreak. Scientists and forestry managers warn this is more than a local curiosity, and could have implications for wildfire risk and forest health in the years ahead. Voted Pique readers’ biggest news story of 2025, the infestation will be one to watch again in 2026. Meanwhile, some intense wildlife encounters led to real community conversations about risk, coexistence and safety. Mid-year, Whistler Blackcomb temporarily shut parts of its mountain bike park and hiking trails after multiple reports of cougar activity near the Creekside, Garbanzo and Blackcomb zones. Riders talked of cats stalking and following people, and the RMOW worked closely with the BC Conservation Officer Service to manage the ongoing closures. No serious injuries were reported, but the episodes underscored how quickly wild places can feel unpredictable when the boundaries between human and animal paths blur. But the most visceral reminder arrived in late spring in Kadenwood. A mother black bear was killed after attacking a woman and her dog. A striking video circulated of her cubs crying at the base of a tree, a haunting visual that shifted

20 JANUARY 2, 2026

f the headlines at council often centred on policy, around town the stories were a blend of characters, commerce, civic heart and the quiet unravelling of old favourites. One of the saddest beats of the year was the news coming from longtime local figures and business pillars. Zog’s—Whistler’s beloved fast-food stand—closed for good after 28 years, the owner saying lease issues left the institution no choice but to shutter. Meanwhile, another locals’ fave, Stinky’s on the Stroll, sold to new owners, with owner Jeremy “Stinky” Peterson lamenting the ever-increasing challenges of doing business in Whistler. Community activism also got a shot in the arm with the Whistler Accommodation Renters Union (WARU). Formed by local Sean Foster, WARU aimed to position itself as an organizing force on issues from zoning to environmental oversight. In a town where tourism dollars often dominate the narrative, WARU’s emergence reminded everyone resident and worker voices remain integral to Whistler’s identity. And 2025 had its share of poignant human stories, too: in July, the community banded together to search for missing man Illya Rechytskyy, who was swept away in the Cheakamus River on Canada Day. Tragically, Rechytskyy’s body was eventually recovered from Daisy Lake, another reminder of how unforgiving mountain landscapes can be. Through it all, the texture of Whistler life in 2025 was never monochrome. There were openings and closings, debates and celebrations, grief and joy—and through

FEATURE STORY every twist, an unmistakable current of community holding space for both the ruggedness of the place and the people who call it home.

- BRADEN DUPUIS

PEMBERTON

n 2025, Pemberton’s quiet valley pulse got a lot louder. Between town-planning debates, contentious council decisions, and landmark community milestones, the Village and its surrounding lands felt the weight of growth like never before. Developers pressed forward; long-standing issues like horses on Highway 99 resurfaced with a fierce intensity; and conversations about who gets to shape Pemberton’s future—and how fast—were as urgent as ever. What follows is a snapshot of the year that was: the wins, the tensions, the everyday life of a place navigating expansion without losing its soul.

DEVELOPMENT AND GROWTH At the centre of every council agenda in 2025 was growth—often controversial. This year, projects like the Hillside and Alders developments and the new Harrow Road affordable housing building became the face of that growth. Supporters on council and among residents tout these as necessary steps: more housing supply, more space for families, and incremental densification as the pressure from Metro Vancouver’s sky-high markets continues to push people north. There are jobs tied to new builds, new customers for local businesses, and a sense that Pemberton might finally be “on the map” in the way some longtime residents have always hoped (and others might dread). But that progress hasn’t been smooth. Questions about infrastructure strain, environmental impacts, and community

enforcement, but no silver bullet emerged by year’s end. What’s clear is short-term rentals are now—officially—a structural issue, not just a complaint at pub tables.

CULTURAL FLASHPOINTS AND COMMUNITY ANCHORS

mid all the planning applications, policy debates, and cost forecasts, Pemberton’s cultural heart had its own headlines, too—some disappointing, others affirming. One of the most poignant flashpoints of the year was the controversy surrounding the closure of Joffre Lakes Provincial Park’s day-use facilities, a move that drew active protest from Lil’wat Nation citizens and supporters. For many in Lil’wat and the surrounding communities, access to traditional territory—and the ability to share it on their own terms—isn’t a matter of signage or weekend permits. It’s ancestral stewardship, cultural practice, and identity. A highway-closing protest in late August brought the issue out of tourism talk and into the realm of reconciliation and rights. The closure debate wasn’t just about park gates or parking headaches, but who controls land use, how Indigenous voices are heard in those decisions, and what meaningful respect really looks like. In Lil’wat business news, the Hitching Post Motel’s reopening provided a shot of optimism for Mount Currie’s Main Street, while the Nation also broke ground on its long-awaited development in Whistler’s Function Junction neighbourhood. Speaking of community anchors, this year’s Slow Food Cycle marking its 20th anniversary reminded Pemberton why community matters even more than headlines. Two decades of rolling farm to farm have built more than a regional cycling tradition. The event has become a cultural touchpoint—one that links food security, local producers, recreation, and environmental awareness all in one pedal stroke. But alongside celebrations were serious strains. Global economic turbulence— especially in agricultural trade—left local farmers feeling the pinch. Export market fluctuations, tariff ripples, and supply chain bottlenecks translated into unpredictable commodity prices. For small-scale producers around Pemberton, that meant tighter margins, harder planning, and more nights staring at spreadsheets instead of fields. How does a valley brand itself as authentic and resilient when the global marketplace shifts every quarter? There were no easy answers, just hard conversations, and—in some cases—early winter planning for crops that might weather the uncertainty better.

LAND, FIRE, AND THE SHAPE OF TOMORROW

I A peaceful demonstration by the Lil’wat and N’Quatqua Nations closed traffic to Joffre Lakes on Aug. 22. PHOTO BY LUKE FAULKS

character have dogged every major application. Notably, a formal condemnation of the Benchlands development from a group of Lil’wat elders issued mid-year highlighted a deeper unease about who development serves and what places of cultural and ecological significance we’re willing to sacrifice. The elders’ statement is one that resonates beyond Pemberton: growth that ignores history, relationship to land, and future climate realities isn’t growth worth celebrating.

HORSES, RENTALS, COSTS, AND COMMUNITY CONCERNS

or the second straight year, the saga of horses wandering onto Highway 99 dominated summer headlines and caused local angst. Rural land fragmentation, recreational trail sprawl, and ambiguous fence lines once again conspired to put livestock dangerously close to high-speed traffic. Commuters posted videos. Drivers honked, swerved, and at times slammed brakes. Collisions and close calls, officials exchanging toothless statements—a stubborn reminder that the valley’s rural roots and rapid growth aren’t always compatible with current infrastructure. Meanwhile, the short-term rental debate also staged a comeback at the council table this year. Property owners, tourism operators, and neighbours squared off as council weighed new restrictions and term limits on short-term rental operators. Advocates for tightening regulations argued unregulated STRs siphon off longterm homes and distort neighbourhood dynamics—an argument that found sympathy among renters and families struggling with local affordability. Others warned overly strict rules could stifle tourism, hurt hospitality workers, and penalize residents trying to make ends meet. Council shuffled options like licensing schemes, caps on units, and compliance

f there was one unifying theme in 2025, it was this: the land never stopped talking back. Environmental stewardship made headlines in a good way mid-year when land was purchased specifically for grizzly bear habitat protection. The acquisition, supported by regional organizations and conservation groups (but denounced and questioned by others) was celebrated as a rare instance where ecological value translated into concrete action. For some land-use planners, it also set a benchmark: economic growth and environmental preservation don’t have to be binary aims—and models developed here might inform future decisions in the Sea to Sky corridor. Alas, the other voice of the land in 2025 came through fire and smoke. A spate of wildfires—many sparked by lightning storms in early summer— blanketed the valley with haze, tested first responders, and reminded everyone how vulnerable this place is to climate extremes. Although no blaze forced mass evacuations in Pemberton itself, air quality dipped repeatedly as fires burned throughout the valley. Emergency crews worked long days. Neighbours checked in on elders. Social media timelines turned grey with satellite images and fire perimeters. Another reminder wildfire preparedness needs to be a part of daily life around here. By year’s end, Pemberton felt both familiar and newly unsettled. Growth had momentum; community conversations were louder and sharper; environmental questions were no longer future problems but present realities. Old issues—horses on the highway, housing tensions, environmental anxieties— stayed with us. New ones, like rising policing costs and Indigenous land rights in tourism, demanded attention.

- BRADEN DUPUIS

SPORTS

his year, local athletes and venues made history in more ways than one. Crankworx is usually the grandest and most memorable sporting event in the Sea to Sky area, but in 2025 it was rivaled by the Invictus Games Vancouver Whistler (IG25). Yet even as hundreds of athletes from myriad countries pulled into town, local stars were writing themselves into the record books elsewhere. A surging new generation of physical talent also got busy making its presence felt across icy tracks, loamy trails and beyond.

JANUARY 2, 2026

FEATURE STORY UNCONQUERED

t’s been more than 15 years since Whistler demonstrated its mettle by co-hosting an Olympic Games. That February, locals and visitors alike bore witness to epic victories by Canadians Jon Montgomery, Kaillie Humphries and Heather Moyse as well as other greats: Lindsey Vonn, Simon Ammann, et al. The 2023 Nordic Ski World Juniors brought international winter athletes back to Callaghan Valley, but IG25—the first of its kind to run simultaneously in two locations—delivered a new breed of competitor. As many are well aware: Invictus isn’t about winning so much as it’s about overcoming. The Invictus Games Foundation was founded by Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex as a platform to help wounded or ailing soldiers and veterans through sport. From Feb. 8 to 16, more than 500 people from 23 nations tackled 11 adaptive disciplines, including new sports only Whistler could facilitate: alpine snowboarding and skiing, skeleton, biathlon and Nordic skiing. The names of individual athletes were not overly heralded, but their accomplishments were unforgettable—especially in light of the demons they’ve faced. Consider Assunta Aquino, a former combat engineer who witnessed the deaths of two fellow unit members in a Bosnian minefield detonation that left herself wounded. Further insult to injury came in the form of sexual abuse from certain individuals

Assunta Aquino won alpine skiing gold for Canada at the Invictus Games on Feb. 12. PHOTO BY DEREK CAIN/GETTY IMAGES FOR INVICTUS GAMES VANCOUVER WHISTLER 2025

she believed were trustworthy. Rather than quitting, the Lynn Valley native sought rehab and eventually became one of 56 veterans picked to represent Canada at IG25. She won her category in alpine skiing and later shared emotional hugs with friends, family and Invictus Games Vancouver Whistler CEO Scott Moore. Brittney Hendry didn’t earn a medal, but the ex-Royal Canadian Air Force clerk pushed herself with appearances in skeleton, swimming, indoor rowing and sitting volleyball. It was a gallant effort from a woman who has lived through anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and seizures harsh enough to warrant hospitalization. Along the way Hendry bonded with many teammates, including opening ceremony flag bearer Adria Brochu. Upon winning her own silver medal, Brochu spoke regarding “a lifetime of overcoming visible and invisible injuries” and gushed about her time spent with fellow service members. IG25 transformed lives and revitalized the Sea to Sky. It generated $86.1 million of overall economic activity in British Columbia, including $33.2 million in salaries paid for 383 jobs in Vancouver and Whistler. Approximately 1,000 hotel room nights were recorded in Whistler alone as 1,500 visitors dropped by to experience the action and 300-odd media members covered it. Tangible local infrastructure upgrades encompassed a new ramp at the Whistler Sliding Centre (WSC), accessible doors at the Whistler Olympic Park (WOP) biathlon building, 11 sit-skis for the Whistler Adaptive Sports Program (WASP) and 16 ecoaims rifles for Sea to Sky Nordics. Of course, there was bound to be star power, too. Prince Harry and his wife Meghan Markle joined the fun, as did musical icons Barney Bentall, Jim Cuddy and Michael Bublé. Yet, if anything, they were witnesses alongside the rest of us to a valiant display of human resilience as men and women from all walks of life declared with their actions: “we will not be conquered.”

HISTORY MAKERS (AND HONOURABLE MENTIONS)

s temperatures rose and snow melted, the Sea to Sky’s roster of mountain bike warriors headed overseas to battle for World Cup glory. Two achieved landmark feats for Canada, one came awfully close to doing the same, and one retired as a legend of his discipline. Elly Hoskin fired a loud shot across the bows of her fellow enduro elites by becoming the inaugural female rider from North America to disrupt decades of European dominance. By triumphing on May 16 in Bielsko-Biala, Poland, she clinched the first Enduro World Cup (EDR) gold medal in Canadian history—and the first awarded to any woman not from Great Britain or France.

22 JANUARY 2, 2026

Not one to dwell on potential results during a race, Hoskin was initially unaware of what she had done. A friend had to enlighten her after she headed back home to Squamish for a midseason break. Ignorance might have given way to no small measure of awe at that point, for Hoskin admits she doesn’t always view herself as a top contender. She’s discussed grappling with impostor syndrome, fretting that she doesn’t belong at the highest level and pressuring herself fiercely to meet the mark. Yet Hoskin’s record speaks with confidence. She notched two straight overall runner-up campaigns as an EDR U21 before taking the elite division by storm. In fact, the Squamolian put a bow on 2025 with four massive victories: Canadian Open Enduro, World Cup finale, the World Championships and Nationals in Bromont, Que. Another star emerged this year as well: Gracey Hemstreet. Weeks after Hoskin’s exploits in Poland, Hemstreet made herself the first Canadian woman to triumph at a downhill World Cup when she rocketed atop a podium in Loudenvielle, France. Shocked and awed by her achievement, the Sunshine Coast native told reporters it was “a dream come true.” Hemstreet promptly followed up Loudenvielle with gold in the next stop at Leogang, Austria, where she again defeated four-time world champ Valentina Höll. She has only placed lower than fifth three times this season, and despite a massive crash at the World Cup finale in Mont-Sainte-Anne, Que. she ended up second overall among female riders. Jackson Goldstone nearly inserted himself into the annals of mountain biking as well. He needed five consecutive World Cup triumphs to do so and ended up managing four: Loudenvielle, Leogang, Val di Sole and La Thuile. Finishing 1.2 seconds shy of the winning time in Pal Arinsal, Andorra dashed Goldstone’s dreams, but he still matched Aaron Gwin’s 2012 record of four straight World Cup wins. The Squamish speedster wasn’t done there, going to Champéry, Switzerland to knock down his maiden World Championship title. All in all: a Rocky-esque comeback for a man who missed most of 2024 with a disastrous knee injury, but stormed to his first World Cup overall with an effort he called “the run of my life” in Mont-Sainte-Anne. Yet as one man’s career reaches a new level, another’s comes to an end. Jesse Melamed announced his retirement in mid-December via Instagram, bowing out with the second-most enduro triumphs in history. Melamed was the inaugural Canadian to earn an Enduro World Series title in 2022, and for years he joined with fellow locals Remi Gauvin and Andréane Lanthier Nadeau beneath the Rocky Mountain Race Face banner.

“Journey” by Levi Nelson depicts the Invictus movement as it travels from Vancouver to Birmingham. PHOTO COURTESY OF THE BRITISH CONSULATE-GENERAL IN VANCOUVER

NEW BLOOD, NEW BREAKTHROUGHS

umerous other excellent performances from locals and a few surprise milestones are also worth mentioning. Let’s begin with the plucky young Canadian luge relay squad. Going into this year, Canada’s most recent big-time breakthrough in the sport of luge took place when Alex Gough, Sam Edney, Tristan Walker and Justin Snith united for silver at the 2018 Pyeongchang Olympics. Each of them gradually retired and the program began rebuilding: led by Embyr-Lee Susko and Caitlin Nash of Whistler as well as Pemberton’s Trinity Ellis. Ellis is the only one with Olympic experience to date, but Susko is the most decorated among her peers with three consecutive national titles and a Junior Worlds runner-up result. Yet her crowning accomplishment to date materialized Feb. 8 on home ice—with a little help from friends. Susko and Theo Downey were chosen to represent the Maple Leaf in team relay alongside their doubles pairs: Cole Zajanski and Devin Wardrope for men, Beattie Podulsky and Kailey Allan for ladies. They entered as a group of Davids facing Goliaths from Germany, Austria, Italy and the United States. They emerged with bronze as Canada’s fifth-ever team relay medallists at a World Championship. Luge is an underdog sport in this nation: oft-overlooked and underfunded with Whistler hosting the only sliding track to be found from coast to coast. Yet Susko et al. have introduced themselves to the international community and just might bottle lightning again at the 2026 Milano Cortina Olympics.

FEATURE STORY Meanwhile, Goldstone could soon have competition from close to home on the World Cup circuit. Mack Manietta is just 14 years old, but his joining the Generation Specialized (Gen-S) Developmental Team in January was a sign of things to come. The Pemberton teen didn’t just win most of his races—he dominated. Four Crankworx gold medals and a provincial title showed he’s a force to be reckoned with, and at the OG Canadian Open Downhill his time of 2:50.459 would have placed him sixth among elite men. Ella MacPhee is a few years older than Manietta and a very different type of rider. She obtained her first U23 World Cup cross-country gold in May before finishing third overall in both the short track and cross-country Olympic rankings. With years of elite racing ahead, MacPhee is part of a Sea to Sky contingent on Team Canada that also includes fellow Squamolian Marin Lowe. Finally in November, the WSC hosted four days of North American Cup (NAC) bobsleigh and skeleton racing. 18-year-old Zander Greco won his first NAC skeleton medal, while rookie bobsleigh brakemen Kyle Stoob, Ariane Chiasson and Brynn McNabb pushed their pilots to various podium results during a key Olympic season. The real story from the ice, however, was Whistler hosting Jamaica’s maiden international bobsleigh victory authored by the four-man group of Shane Pitter, Andrae Dacres, Junior Harris and Tyquendo Tracey. Jamaican coach Pat Brown, who inspired Cool Runnings character Irving Blitzer, deemed it a win for the entire sport.

- DAVID SONG

ARTS

t was another jam-packed year for the Sea to Sky arts scene. The Invictus Games rolled into town (as everyone and their mother knows), bringing bigname performers and galvanizing local creators to honour a memorable event. Whistlerites remained active year round as painters, videographers, authors, musicians, actors and comedians all strutted their stuff. Our plucky resort town continued to punch above its weight class in attracting talent. This year’s Summer Concert Series was full of Juno Award recipients and nominees, while the Audain Art Museum levelled up with a summer exhibit of rare renown. More than once we were treated to an intersection (pun intended) of sports and arts at events like the World Ski and Snowboard Festival (WSSF), the aforementioned Games and even a Sports Emmy. Let’s flash back and reflect on the highlights.

BEST OF BOTH WORLDS

rince Harry and Meaghan Markle were not the only celebrities who graced Whistler during its five days of Invictus. Canadian pop icon Michael Bublé sent folks into a frenzy when he made a surprise appearance at the Feb. 10 Welcome Ceremony, joining singer-songwriter Barney Bentall and Jim Cuddy of Blue Rodeo fame on stage. Local favourites and familiar visitors populated the rest of the Games’ live entertainment roster: the Hairfarmers, Big Love, Five Alarm Funk, Taylor James, Lazy Syrup Orchestra, Hey Ocean!, DJs Vinyl Ritchie and Foxy Moron, etc. These loud, proud and fun shows were complemented by a more reflective visual arts element courtesy of the First Nations as Levi Nelson (Lil’wat) and Ray Natraoro (Squamish) joined Olivia George (Tsleil-Waututh) and Mack Paul (Musqueam) in designing the Games’ visual brand. Nelson’s involvement went beyond that: he envisioned the medals awarded to podium athletes and painted a symbolic depiction of the Invictus movement travelling from Whistler to its next host: Birmingham. Most Canadian service members did not compete in the Games, of course, but 40 of them answered Chief Warrant Officer Chris Hennebery’s call for a Veterans Art Show. Hennebery has lost more friends to suicide than enemy fire during his decadeslong Army career, prompting him to invest in the lives of his fellow soldiers. Together they delivered 150 pieces to the Maury Young Arts Centre, poignantly embodying what it means to serve your country in uniform: to fight, win, bleed and die. On a less sombre note, the realms of art and sport crossed paths again in April for the WSSF. This time the outdoor music lineup was headlined by Fort Knox Five and A Whole Lotta Led while Kieran Kershaw, JB Liautard and Shmobb cleaned up the awards. Kershaw netted first place and People’s Choice honours at the 72-Hour Filmmaker Showdown with a short flick called I Could Kill Them Sometimes: his sophomore entry into the competition. Josh Kahle, Natasha Morley, Shae Poulin and Callum Anderson filled out Kershaw’s cast with Beth Andrews producing. Despite his status as a wildcard entrant, JB Liautard won the Pro Photographer Showdown on the same night organizers paid tribute to deceased local snowboarder Jeff Keenan. Liautard’s stunning mountain bike images played especially well with Whistler’s audience. Shmobb successfully wooed the judges of Intersection to prevail one year after finishing as runner-ups in the popular action film contest. The crew is helmed by Caleb Chomlack and features Zack Murray, Finn Finestone, Lane Weaver, Sven Sandhal, Dash Klebe-McCulloch, Garret Baker, Stephen Linsey-Ross, Caleb Golls and

Truth Smith—the latter of whom won Whistler’s inaugural Grind rail jam. Just down the road in Squamish, Anthill Films made big waves of its own in June when it earned a Sports Emmy for Outstanding Camera Work. The honour came after Anthill released Anytime, a movie produced in conjunction with Red Bull Media House that showcases elite mountain bikers tackling incredible terrain across three continents. Director of photography Darren McCullough emphasized it is not normal for sports action films to be widely recognized by the general public, or by mainstream awards like the Emmys. Anthill would keep its momentum up, coming out with The Search for Milliseconds in December to chronicle local rider Jackson Goldstone’s quest for a World Cup downhill overall title.

SEA TO SKY ICONS

ongtime locals rejoiced at the mid-January return of Icon Gone, which hadn’t taken place for 12 years up until that point. In some ways a quintessential Whistler event, Icon Gone enables residents to discuss the qualities of anything that can reasonably be considered a Sea to Sky mainstay: be it a place, a bygone tradition, an individual or even an animal. Icon Gone adds a flavourful twist to the idea of public debate by inviting folks to use costumes, props and music to enhance their presentations through multiple rounds until one person is named the winner. In 2025 that turned out to be former Pique Newsmagazine journalist Brandon Barrett, who passionately advocated the merits of… Whistler nudity. Kevin “Big Kev” Mikkelsen took part in Icon Gone and he’s arguably reached icon status himself. A jack-of-all-trades and local music superfan, Mikkelsen was diagnosed in September 2023 with primary progressive multiple sclerosis (PPMS). He’s impacted so many people in his community that on May 2, they packed Merlin’s Bar & Grill with a fundraising concert to improve his quality of life: Rock for Big Kev. Big Love frontman Erik van Meerbergen called Mikkelsen “an ally of the arts”, and Whistler Film Festival (WFF) founder Shauna Hardy lauded his “great attitude” as “a very kind, gentle human being.” Tourism Whistler did its part to ally with the arts by way of another Summer Concert Series. This time the Canada Day act was none other than five-time Juno recipient Bahamas, with other renowned names like 54•40, Chantal Kreviazuk and the Sam Roberts Band gracing the Olympic Plaza stage as well. These popular free concerts ran alongside some classic and equally free-of-charge movies in July: Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, Grease, The Call of the Wild, Wayne’s World, Bend it Like Beckham and Whip It. One development that ruffled a few feathers this summer was Art on the Lake (AOTL) moving from its usual Alta Lake venue over to Lost Lake. Pique received letters both before and after the event criticizing the move, with Ken Mason reporting that he “talked to many, many people who were disappointed.” Arts Whistler director Maureen Douglas spoke in favour of the change, arguing it made more logistical sense and was necessitated by the rising cost of hiring performers and renting equipment. Meanwhile, the Audain Art Museum hosted one of the most historically significant art exhibits in Sea to Sky history. Loaned between June 14 and Oct. 13 by the National Gallery of Canada (NGC), Gathered Leaves featured work by a plethora of canonical titans like Pablo Picasso, Edgar Degas, Wassily Kandinsky and Edvard Munch in various mediums from inks and watercolour to graphite sketches. Audain director and chief curator Dr. Curtis Collins emphatically described Gathered Leaves as “one of the best collections of European drawings and prints in all of North America”, insisting that art aficionados would be tempted to return “again and again” to properly digest its contents. The Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre (SLCC), meanwhile, invited guests to view revitalized permanent exhibitions and guided tours at the cultural institution. SLCC Curator Mixalhítsa7 Alison Pascal and her curatorial team worked with more than 250 community members over 18 months to facilitate the revitalization, preparing a showcase that authentically reflects Squamish and Lil’wat Nation culture. Part of the process involved the repatriation of ancestral Squamish belongings from the Canadian Museum of History. The Whistler Writers Festival (WWF) tread new ground by moving its events to Halloween time: Oct. 30 to Nov. 2. Plenty of decorated authors showed up, including New York Times, Wall Street Journal and USA Today bestseller Karina Halle, awardwinning Silvia Moreno-Garcia, Oscar-nominated filmmaker/writer Julian Brave NoiseCat, plus Canadian standouts Antonio Michael Downing and Susan Juby. Last but most definitely not least, the Whistler Film Festival (WFF) marked its 25th anniversary. One hundred and six movies screened in town between Dec. 3 and 7, including Oscar candidates Jay Kelly, No Other Choice and Wake Up Dead Man - A Knives Out Mystery. They were accompanied by 10 entries in the renowned Borsos Competition for Best Canadian Feature Film, three mountain culture features and 10 shorts, half a dozen world documentaries and more. On Dec. 5, the Garibaldi Lift Co. hosted a once-in-a-generation Silver Anniversary Party that saw filmmakers, actors and members of the public come together in celebration of a unique festival that emerged from humble beginnings and now plays a key role in the North American cinema landscape.

- DAVID SONG n

JANUARY 2, 2026

SPORTS THE SCORE

‘I can think in a way that most people wouldn’t’ SQUAMISH BIATHLETE AND OLYMPIC HOPEFUL JASPER FLEMING DISCUSSES HOW HE OVERCAME DYSLEXIA

BY DAVID SONG JASPER FLEMING has already pushed himself to the highest level of biathlon. After half a dozen World Cup outings last season, Fleming kicked off his 202526 campaign on the senior circuit. He was the youngest athlete at Nationals in 2018, a Canmore Nor-Am bronze medallist one year later, and tops in his age group for the 2020 Western Canadian Championships sprint event. In 2024, Fleming also earned an overall National title. When the Squamolian isn’t skiing or shooting, he can be found mountain biking, playing guitar, taking photos or being an interdisciplinary studies major at Capilano University’s branch in his hometown. Severe dyslexia does not hold him back. “I’ve always been pretty articulate and I’ve always been reasonably creative, [but] when it came to school, it wasn’t lining up,” Fleming said. “A lot of elementary school is just learning the foundations of being a person. In that I seemed to

FLEMING IN FLIGHT Squamish-based biathlete Jasper Fleming in action. PHOTO BY DOUG STEPHEN

24 JANUARY 2, 2026

get by fine, but when it came to reading and writing, that was where I really fell behind. After getting diagnosed with dyslexia in Grade 3, it became evident that I needed proper support.” Young Fleming told his mom Lise one day that he hated his brain. Lise and father Aric signed him up for Right To Learn, a free tutoring program that granted him specialized instruction twice a week after school. Over the course

mean I have an edge on everyone, but I have an introspective and a different way of learning technique,” remarked Fleming. “Also, having to go to tutoring twice a week every single week as a super young kid teaches you that: ‘this might not be something I want to do right now, but if it’s for something that I aspire to do—which was being able to read and write at a high level—it gives you discipline to really put the work in.’”

“I think where my heart really shines is in sport because it’s just, ‘how bad do you want it?’” - JASPER FLEMING

of four and a half years, Fleming learned to rewire the brain he once despised and get back to business academically. He can’t explain his method to others because it’s all he’s ever known, but now he sees the world in a way that makes sense—and that form of understanding has also moulded him into an elite athlete. “I can think in a way that most people wouldn’t, and that doesn’t necessarily

‘HOW BAD DO YOU WANT IT?’

Fleming tried out biathlon at nine years of age and immediately discovered his ambition to qualify for the Olympic Games. In early 2024 he racked up multiple top-10 finishes at the Youth World Championships, then spent the latter half of that year as an IBU Cup participant. A number of solid performances there moved him up one more level to the World Cup.

Blessed with very good skiing ability, Fleming has been improving his command of the .22 calibre rifle to the point where it is no longer an obvious flaw in his game. It’s safe to say he enjoys the process. “I think that a lot of people with learning disabilities cling to sport because it’s something that’s not necessarily based on pure smarts,” opined the 20-year-old. “It has a lot more to do with the determination you’re willing to put into it. Although I was able to get myself to a level in academics that I’m very proud of now, I think where my heart really shines is in sport because it’s just, ‘how bad do you want it?’ “Training for biathlon can maybe get a little redundant and a little monotonous sometimes … but when it comes to racing, you can be the most successful person on the day and not have the best ski time. It’s a sport that allows you to have good results when you’re not even having a good day, and vice versa.” Canada will send four male biathletes to Milano Cortina 2026, and Fleming might just be one of them. He’s already raced at the Olympic venue in Anholtz, Italy that also hosts World Cup events. Not one to look too far ahead, his goal is to focus on each competition at a time— understanding that pressuring oneself to perform well rarely, if ever, yields the desired outcome. n

SPORTS THE SCORE

Back in Action Physiotherapy: Welcome to our team

Josh Bugeja

16th for Cameron Alexander at Livigno World Cup super-G

B.Clin.Sc, M.Ost.Med Osteopathic manual therapy Whole body function Performance coaching & improvement Pain relief: headaches, concussion, & joint/muscle pain

SPORTS BRIEFS: EMELINE BENNETT NETS GOLD, BRONZE AT NOR-AM OPENER; WHISTLER OLYMPIC PARK TO HOST BC WINTER GAMES TRIALS

BY DAVID SONG

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CAMERON ALEXANDER notched Canada’s

best result at the World Cup super-G race on Dec. 27 in Livigno, Italy: 16th in a time of one minute and 11.10 seconds. The day belonged to Marco Schwarz, who struck gold for the second time in seven days (1:10.33). The versatile Austrian prevailed at a Dec. 21 giant slalom race at the Italian locale of Alta Badia and now owns eight career victories. Livigno represents his maiden breakthrough in a speed event. Switzerland’s Alexis Monney wrapped up silver (1:10.53) and his compatriot Franjo von Allmen took bronze (1:10.58). Brodie Seger was the next-highest placing Canadian and Whistlerite in 18th (1:11.19). Alexander seemed confident that he has more to give, quipping on social media: “I think I can see January. I like January. [See you] then.” “The approach was good, just a couple too many mistakes to make for a really good result,” Seger wrote on Instagram about his own performance. “That’s the way she goes and I’ll keep trying. Looking forward to a little break at home now, and taking the positives into the new year.” Schwarz, meanwhile, is reintroducing himself to the alpine skiing world with next year’s Olympics in Milano Cortina less than six weeks away. Going into Alta Badia, he hadn’t won a World Cup for two years because of a knee injury. “I had a really good run and it feels good to be back in the speed discipline, as well, on the top or on the podium,” Schwarz told reporters. “To be back on the top spot in Alta Badia, that was like a milestone again. Since [placing 13th in a super-G in Val Gardena] I have the feeling back that my speed skiing is good again and that I can compete on the highest level.”

EMELINE BENNETT NETS GOLD, BRONZE AT NOR-AM OPENER

While her older compatriots have been making waves and taking licks on the World Cup scene, Emeline Bennett is off to a flying start on the Nor-Am circuit. The Whistlerite finished third on Dec. 20 at her season opener in Nakiska, Alta, placing behind fellow Canadians Roxy Coatesworth (who triumphed) and Kael Oberlander (who was second). Bennett took home the gold medal one day later as Coatesworth earned silver and Oberlander settled for bronze. “Happy to get the race season underway at Nakiska!” wrote Bennett, a two-time Junior World Championships victor and member of the Canadian NextGen unit. “Super grateful for

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Cup action in Lake Louise, Alta. PHOTO BY MALCOLM CARMICHAEL / ALPINE CANADA

8349 NEEDLES DRIVE, WHISTLER An exceptional opportunity awaits in the premier fourseason ski resort of North America! This 6-bedroom chalet offers not just a dream family home, but also a smart investment. Enjoy beautiful mountain views and abundant space for family gatherings on the expansive 12,000+ sqft lot. With vaulted ceilings, a spacious kitchen, and plenty of natural light, this home radiates warmth and comfort. Additionally, a standalone 320 sqft building adds versatility, while the engineered-forexpansion detached 618 sqft double garage holds even more potential. Inside, enjoy post and beam construction, skylights, maple hardwood floors, and a cozy gas fireplace. The chef’s kitchen is a highlight, boasting a built-in oven, gas stove top, heated tile floors, granite counters, and stainless-steel appliances

this life and everyone who makes it possible! Merry Christmas, and let’s see what 2026 brings!”

WHISTLER OLYMPIC PARK TO HOST BC WINTER GAMES TRIALS

The Teck Coast Cup season is just around the corner, and its opening event will also serve as the BC Winter Games Trials. On Jan. 4, Whistler Olympic Park (WOP) and the Hollyburn CrossCountry Ski Club are partnering up to host the first race of 2026. The event is designed for athletes of all ages and skill levels, featuring a 250-metre course for U6 participants and up to 7.5 kilometres for older athletes. Racers born in 2011 and 2012 who reside in Zone 3, 4, or 5, as well as para skiers born between 1990 and 2012 are eligible to qualify for the Winter Games scheduled for Feb. 28 to March 1 in Trail and Rossland, B.C. All finishers will score points for their club to go towards the Cross Country BC’s Club Aggregate Award. Furthermore, eight athletes, two coaches and two officials with Indigenous ancestry will be invited attend the Games under the Indigenous Participation Program: a partnership between Cross Country BC, the Indigenous Sport, Physical Activity & Recreation Council (I·SPARC) and the BC Games Society. n

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10J 2300 NORDIC DRIVE, WHISTLER Welcome to Fairmont Heritage Place - At Nature´s Door, a 1/10th ownership in a luxury 3-bedroom ski-in/ski-out townhouse beside the iconic Dave Murray ski run-one of Whistler´s most coveted slope-side locations. This refined mountain residence offers open-concept living, soaring ceilings, and expansive windows framing a stunning alpine backdrop. The chef´s kitchen flows seamlessly into the dining and living areas, anchored by a fireplace for classic après-ski evenings. Three well-appointed bedrooms provide comfort and privacy, while a private outdoor hot tub invites relaxation. Professionally managed by Fairmont, owners enjoy five-star amenities including a spa, slope-side outdoor pool and hot tubs, fitness centre, sauna, steam room, concierge services, and clubhouse.

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204 4405 BLACKCOMB WAY, WHISTLER Welcome to Granite Court, perfectly located in Whistler Village North. This spacious ground-floor studio offers a warm and inviting retreat with an open layout, cozy gas fireplace, and private deck surrounded by trees. Step outside and enjoy a short walk to village shops, cafés, and restaurants, or catch the free shuttle to the gondolas. The Whistler Golf Course, Racket Club, and scenic Lost Lake trails are all just minutes away. With secure underground parking, in-suite laundry, and flexible Phase I zoning for personal use or nightly rentals, this is the ideal home base for your Whistler lifestyle.

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JANUARY 2, 2026

EPICURIOUS

A speakeasy above the steakhouse THE NIGHTLY WINTER EXPERIENCE AT WHISTLER’S FOUR SEASONS TAKES YOU FROM SHERRY FOAM TO PEPPER CRUST

BY LUKE FAULKS JUST PAST THE MAIN lobby of the

Four Seasons Whistler, behind a discreet entrance and warm wood panelling, The Library by The Macallan is back for its third winter season. Designed as a seasonal speakeasy, The Library is open only during the colder months, and it shows: the room is rich in deep, red tones and gold accents, centred around a glowing fireplace and lined with plush, leather seating. This year’s design reflects Macallan’s “A Night on Earth” collection—an annual celebration of festive traditions from around the world. The 2025 edition honours New Zealand, the first country to ring in the New Year. The bar’s exclusivity is part of its charm. Only a few seats are available at a time, with staff describing it as the smallest bar in Whistler. Yet what it lacks in size, it makes up for in precision: every cocktail, every pour, is tailored. A new feature this year is the Library Lockers—personal bottle lockers that allow guests to store their purchased whiskies on site, adding a private-club feel for return visitors.

LIBRARY VOICES The Library by The Macallan is nestled in the Four Seasons lobby. PHOTO COURTESY OF THE FOUR SEASONS

26 JANUARY 2, 2026

The Macallan dominates the shelves, with everything from its Double Cask and Sherry Oak expressions to rarities like the M Collection and the annual “A Night on Earth” release. The drinks menu is equally considered. We ordered the Cloud Atlas and the Old Fashioned De La Frontera—two signature cocktails designed specifically for this venue. The Cloud Atlas was both velvetsoft and subtly spiced, layering The Macallan Sherry Oak 12 Years Old with

après—one built on craft and calm—this hidden space offers just that. After cocktails at The Library, Sidecut beckons. The mood shifts gently as we descend the stairs from the Four Seasons lobby and pass through Braidwood Tavern. With its braided wood beams, stone hearth, and lodge-inspired warmth, the space felt lively but unhurried— offering a contrast to the quiet elegance above. Ahead and to the right, The Art

The bar’s exclusivity is part of its charm. Only a few seats are available at a time, with staff describing it as the smallest bar in Whistler. rosé vermouth, tarragon honey and a whisper of sherry oak foam. It’s ideal for those with a sweet tooth. The De La Frontera, meanwhile, felt like a ritual. Built on the same Sherry Oak, it deepened with Oloroso sherry, sultana raisin maple reduction and a cocoa-orange distillate. The drink was served with a delicate skeleton leaf garnish, crafted from salvaged wood and symbolizing the forest reborn. The Library runs until March 31, and reservations are highly recommended. For guests seeking a quieter kind of

of Sushi area glowed softly, an intimate space where a chef was shaping sashimi and specialty rolls with quiet precision for guests. From there, we slipped into Sidecut, the resort’s modern mountain steakhouse. Leather banquettes, dark wood, and an open flame set the tone. Dinner began with the Seafood Symphony Trio, a precise composition of Ahi tuna, Ora King salmon, and Atlantic scallops, all laid delicately over a yuzu miso vinaigrette that was both bright and earthy. The scallops were seared to

a subtle golden edge, the tuna dense and clean, and the salmon rich with just enough fat to melt on the tongue. The vinaigrette cut through it all with citrus lift and a savoury depth—like the opening chord in a well-paced meal. For mains, we each opted for steak; Sidecut’s core strength. The Alberta Prime tenderloin, cooked medium, was encased in the restaurant’s signature sergeant pepper crust, which delivered a satisfying edge of heat without overwhelming the cut’s buttery texture. Paired with pillowy Yukon potato purée and a duo of sauces—brandy peppercorn jus and roasted garlic béarnaise—it was a dish built for layering: rich, balanced, endlessly customizable. The New York striploin, with Black Angus rub, arrived next, its sear locking in a deep beefy flavour, its interior pink and juicy. Served alongside a generous helping of sautéed broccolini dressed in chili-garlic butter, it played heavy and light with confidence. The verdant broccolini’s bite and the subtle spice of the butter made it more than an afterthought. By dessert, the pace had slowed. The coffee tonka semifreddo was artfully plated: cocoa nibs scattered over hazelnut jaconde, a whisper of white chocolate ganache, and a pour of espresso crème anglaise that softened the whole into something airy and aromatic. It was the final note in a dining experience that had begun with whisky and ended in silk. n

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

FITNESS CLASS SCHEDULE JAN 02 FRIDAY

JAN 03 SATURDAY

I Full Body HIIT 7:30-8:30 a.m. Jess I Functional Strength & Conditioning 9-10 a.m. Jess

JAN 04 SUNDAY

JAN 05 MONDAY

JAN 06 TUESDAY

JAN 07 WEDNESDAY

JAN 08 THURSDAY

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

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

I Spin Mixer 7:30-8:30 a.m. Sylvie

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

I Low Impact Strength 7:30-8:30 a.m. Andy

I Low Impact Strength 9-10 a.m. Lauren

F Yin & Yang Yoga 9-10 a.m. Mel K

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

I Strength & Stability 9-10 a.m. Lou

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

I Step & Strength 9-10 a.m. Liz

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

I Cardio Circuit 9-10 a.m. Andy

I Zumba 10:30-11:30 a.m. Susie

I Gentle Fit 12:30-1:30 p.m Marie-Anne

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

I Gentle Fit 12:30-1:30 p.m Mel K

R Youth on Weights 3:30-4:45 p.m. I Torch Tuesday 5:30-6:30 p.m. Jess

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

R Prenatal Fitness 5:15-6:15 p.m. Sara F Spin 5:30-6:30 p.m. Courtney

F FLEXIBLE REGISTRATION

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

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 Trigger Point & Core 6:30-7:30 p.m. Andy

F Spin 5:30-6:30 p.m. Jess I Strength & Mobility 6:45-7:45 p.m. Jess

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

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

POOL HOURS

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

JAN 02 FRIDAY

JAN 03 SATURDAY

JAN 04 SUNDAY

JAN 05 MONDAY

JAN 06 TUESDAY

JAN 07 JAN 08 WEDNESDAY THURSDAY

LAP POOL

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. - 7 p.m.

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

HOT SPOTS

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

Whistler Pulse Podcast celebrates fifth anniversary HOST LAURA HANLON ORGANIZED A DEC. 16 FUNDRAISER AT COAST MOUNTAIN BREWING TO RAISE MONEY FOR THE WHISTLER COMMUNITY SERVICES SOCIETY

BY DAVID SONG THE WHISTLER Pulse Podcast is officially five years old. Host Laura Hanlon describes Pulse as a daily resource to give both residents and visitors alike information about the town, akin to a radio station but delivered in a succinct and concise manner. Each episode normally lands in the 15- to 20-minute range while including snow and weather reports, summaries of council meetings, a rundown on upcoming events and more. Hanlon has lived in the Sea to Sky for 15 years with experience working at both Whistler FM and Mountain FM. Also a ski instructor and server at Hy’s Steakhouse, her radio background makes her especially passionate about fostering interpersonal relationships and providing a public service to her community. “Five years for me feels like a real milestone, but for something that has

ON THE PULSE Whistler Pulse Podcast founder Laura Hanlon. PHOTO COURTESY OF LAURA HANLON

28 JANUARY 2, 2026

been hard to advocate for,” remarks the British expatriate. “It’s really hard to not have imposter syndrome about something that relies heavily on your voice or your personality. I don’t tell people, ‘hey, I’m Laura, I’m a podcaster.’ After five years of trying to do that and seeing people like [local housing advocate] Steve Bayly listen to it every day … gives me a great sense of pride

‘IT’S A PASSION PROJECT’

Pulse remains fundamentally similar to what it began as half a decade ago. Hanlon still wakes before 6 a.m. on each day she means to record and looks over various resources to decide what information to present. The way people ingest their news has evolved since COVID, so she advertises on different social media platforms these days.

“It’s really hard to not have imposter syndrome about something that relies heavily on your voice or your personality.” - LAURA HANLON

and a real feeling of being involved.” To mark the anniversary, Hanlon organized a fundraising raffle on Dec. 16 at Coast Mountain Brewing. Attendees raised a total of $790 in-person and online, including $120 from a woman named Kristine Murray to ski with Hanlon and receive a personally-crocheted toque. All contributionsaregoingtowardstheWhistler Community Services Society (WCSS) emergency shelter.

Older episodes tended to feature regular interviews with local artists, nonprofit leaders, business owners and so forth, and Hanlon wants to focus on doing that again in the months to come. When asked about social changes taking place in recent times, she says: “I can see a shift in long-term residents struggling with the housing crisis to stay in the community, with expanding families and daycare being an issue. Also

a lot of dissension about commercial real estate affecting local businesses, some businesses having to close down: Stinky’s on the Stroll being a prime example of that. There’s some dissension about the challenges we face here as residents whilst, of course, still celebrating the tourism trade we’re so reliant on.” On the bright side, Pulse has experienced a steady uptick in listenership over time. Hanlon has bumped into people on the chairlift or the street who recognize her voice, regularly interacts with her audience and has even developed personal friendships with some of them. She is responsive to feedback on both weighty matters and lighthearted ones (she’s running out of dad jokes for her Joke of the Day segment) and hopes for more sponsorship going forward. “It would be nice to have some more local businesses to support the Pulse and the 6 a.m. wake-up call, but I do take pride in knowing that it’s a passion project as well,” says Hanlon. “I’m lucky to be able to work at other places to pay the bills, so for goals going forward: it would be great to have more listeners. I just would love more people to hear it and be involved, and for [the show] to foster more community in unforeseen ways.” Check out the Whistler Pulse Podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, SoundCloud and more. n

ARTS SCENE

The Bookshelf: Brooklyn Thomas Isn’t Here by Alli Vail BY REBECCA WOOD BARRETT

Get Moving, Give Back!

BROOKLYN THOMAS has problems.

Her heart has stopped beating. And, as worrisome as that is, she’s still physically functioning so she decides to deal with more pressing issues. Like recovering from burnout from her marketing career, where she endured serial misogyny and the insult of co-workers who got paid more to do less. Having quit her marketing job, Brooklyn is now working for minimum wage at the Cute Li’l Doughnuterie and has moved into the basement of her parents’ house under a low-key cloud of shame—especially in comparison to her hostile, know-it-all brother Spencer, who is enrolled in med school. Worst of all, Brooklyn is grappling with ambiguous grief, because her best friend Penny has been missing for the last year. While she was on an overseas humanitarian mission in a war-torn country, Penny disappeared. Without any evidence of whether she is alive or dead, Brooklyn lives in an in-between land of hope and despair. In response to her troubles, she begins hallucinating dead TV show starlets who give advice and urge her to put her life back together. Yet when loneliness and failure threaten to overwhelm, in walks the sweet and affable Henry, and Brooklyn is smitten. Her mad crush also seems to have feelings for her. But it’s complicated, Henry is in a relationship already.

JANUARY MOVEMENT CHALLENGE - January 1 - 31. Move 50 or 100 km this January to boost your well-being while supporting the WCSS Physiotherapy Assistance programs. Pet category available too! Can’t participate? Sponsor a local mover or make a donation to help cover essential physiotherapy for a community member in need. All sponsorships and donations are eligible for a tax receipt. Complete the Challenge and be eligible for amazing prizes, including a ski package from Rossignol, Four Seasons Whistler Hotel Package, Rimrock Gift Card and more!

Find out more at www.whistlerhealthcarefoundation.org or scan the QR code below: Special thanks to our sponsors:

OFF THE SHELF Brooklyn Thomas Isn’t Here, by Alli Vail. IMAGE COURTESY OF THE WHISTLER WRITING SOCIETY

the root causes to simply keep going— yet always at their peril. Ultimately, Brooklyn’s literally broken heart is a wise metaphor: If we don’t face our past and come to terms with our present, we won’t have the capacity to love.

Notice of Proposed Zoning Amendment Bylaw - No Public Hearing to be Held

Alli Vail is a former journalist for national and provincial award-winning community newspapers. She is a content writer and marketer for literary festivals and nonprofits, and has worked in tech, video games, and politics. She’s happy she’s no

Brooklyn Thomas Isn’t Here is a cri de coeur for all women who have experienced a betrayal of the body— that always seem to come at times when life is already throwing down the greatest hurdles. Although Brooklyn’s problems initially feel like separate issues all piling on at the same time, they begin to intersect. Her musings about her plight are philosophical, vulnerable and deeply emotional. She also has an excoriatingly hilarious point-of-view on the ironies and inanities of modern life and popular culture. Brooklyn Thomas Isn’t Here is a cri de coeur for all women who have experienced a betrayal of the body—that always seem to come at times when life is already throwing down the greatest hurdles. Brooklyn’s story is utterly relatable, as so many women relegate their health to the backburner—ignoring

Follow @whistlerhealthcarefoundation, @whistler_community_services and @biaphysiowhistler for event updates

longer the only woman in work meetings. She studied creative writing at Simon Fraser University. Alli lives in Vancouver with her anxious dog (who she wrote about for The Globe and Mail) and her partner. Brooklyn Thomas Isn’t Here is her debut novel. The Bookshelf is presented by the Whistler Writing Society, hosts of the Whistler Writers Festival. Rebecca Wood Barrett is a filmmaker and writer living in Whistler. Her children’s chapter book My Best Friend is Extinct won the Chocolate Lily Book award, and her follow-up book My Summer Camp has Mega Sloths was published May 2025 with Orca Book Publishers. n

Zoning Amendment Bylaw (School Use) No. 2503, 2025 (the “proposed bylaw”)

H T 0

Purpose: The purpose of the proposed bylaw is to add school and auxiliary daycare uses as permitted uses on a portion of land within the existing RS-E2 (Residential Single Estate Two) Zone, and to permit a subdivision to create a separate legal title for the portion of land where only a school and auxiliary daycare would be permitted. Subject Land: The lands that are the subject of the proposed Bylaw are shown on the map attached to this notice, and legally described as: Lot 34, District Lot 2246, Group 1, New Westminster District, Plan BCP1933 Bylaw Readings: Consideration of the ﬁrst, second, and third readings of the proposed Bylaw will be at the Regular Council Meeting on January 6, 2026. To learn more: A copy of the proposed Bylaw and background documentation are available for review from December 23, 2025 until January 6, 2026 at:

D E N

N A J

O P T

• Municipal Hall at 4325 Blackcomb Way, Whistler, BC, during regular oﬃce hours of 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday to Friday (statutory holidays excluded) • Online on the Resort Municipality of Whistler (RMOW) website at engage. whistler.ca/public-hearings-anddevelopment-notices

S O P

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

Resort Municipality of Whistler whistler.ca JANUARY 2, 2026

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

A comprehensive guide to health, wellness and medical services in the Sea to Sky Corridor.

GuidedBy™ online business directory included!

*some exclusions applies

FIRE & ICE

Deadlines

FILE PHOTO BY NICK VOUTOUR / COURTESY OF WHISTLER BLACKCOMB

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MONDAY NIGHT SPECIAL AT WHISTLER OLYMPIC PARK

This festive season the Whistler Film Festival Society and Tourism Whistler invite you to a special cinematic celebration. For just $10 enjoy a curated selection of standout films from this year’s Whistler Film Festival and timeless Christmas classics, all at the cosy Rainbow Theatre. Find more info and a lineup of films at whistlerfilmfestival.com/holiday-programming. > Jan. 2 to 4 > Rainbow Theatre

YOGA AT THE AUDAIN Revel in the stunning architecture of the Audain Art Museum every Thursday as you work through a calming one-hour practice with rotating instructors. Classes emphasize breathing, alignment and ease as you stretch and strengthen your body and mind. Registration includes access to the galleries on the day of from 11 AM to 6 PM. > Jan. 2 and 3, 9:30 a.m. > Audain Art Museum

FIRE & ICE SHOW Where else but Whistler would performers entertain you with an electric mix of music, dance and spinning fire? Watch world-class athletes flip and twist through a burning ring of fire, then finish the night off with a first-class fireworks display. Please note that the Fire & Ice Show is dependent on weather conditions. > Jan. 4, 7:30 p.m. > Skiers’ Plaza

Take advantage of discounted tickets and rentals on Monday nights until March 2. Spend time on the well-lit trails or light up your journey with a headlamp. Explore under the beautiful starry skies of the Callaghan Valley and when you need a break, stop by the fully-licensed café in the Day Lodge and indulge in delicious specials. > Jan. 5, 3 to 9 p.m. > Whistler Olympic Park

SWEDISH AFTERSKI Tuesdays are for the Swedish! Don’t miss out on the ultimate après-ski celebration! A local tradition for 10 years, come and party like the Europeans do. Celebrate a day on the slopes with dancing and singalongs. > Jan. 6, 3 to 7 p.m. > Longhorn Saloon

WEDNESDAY NIGHT SPECIAL AT WHISTLER OLYMPIC PARK Take advantage of discounted tickets and rentals on Wednesday nights until March 4. Spend time on the well-lit trails or light up your journey with a headlamp. Explore under the beautiful starry skies of the Callaghan Valley and when you need a break, stop by the fully-licensed café in the Day Lodge and indulge in delicious specials. > Jan. 7, 3 to 9 p.m. > Whistler Olympic Park

Four Seasons Whistler Seeking 1–2 Bedroom Pet-Friendly Rental

We are seeking a quiet, affordable, pet-friendly 1–2 bedroom home in Whistler for a professional member of our management team, with a preferred move-in date of February 1, 2026. They have two calm, well-trained indoor cats, accustomed to apartment living. What can we offer? • Reliable tenant with secure, full-time employment • Guaranteed, on-time monthly rent • Exceptional care and respect for the home • Quiet lifestyle and a long-term lease Does this sound like it could be a ﬁt? Please email Odeta.Bartasiute@fourseasons.com

30 JANUARY 2, 2026

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

PARTIAL RECALL

1 SANTAS SEND IT Whistler Blackcomb’s annual Dress Like Santa day returned Dec. 19, with the first 100 Kringles gifted a free lift ticket for the day. PHOTO BY MATT SYLVESTRE / COURTESY OF WHISTLER BLACKCOMB 2 MISS YOU ALREADY! Pique staffers say goodbye to longtime sales manager Susan Hutchinson on her last day Dec. 23. PHOTO BY CATHERINE POWER-CHARTRAND 3 DINO-MYTE Haelen came for a visit to Whistler and enjoyed Wintersphere at the Whistler Conference Centre. PHOTO COURTESY OF CATHERINE POWER-CHARTRAND 4 HOLIDAY REFLECTIONS A father and son share a quiet alpine moment on Christmas Day. PHOTO COURTESY OF ALYSSA HENRY 5 GET AFTER IT There was plenty of good skiing to be found in Whistler this Christmas, like up Glacier Chair where this snap was captured Christmas Day. PHOTO BY ANDREW BUDRESKI

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

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JANUARY 2, 2026

MUSEUM MUSINGS & ASTROLOGY

Coexisting with Whistler’s Bears BY KRISTINA SWERHUN “Like us, animals feel love, joy, fear and pain, but they cannot grasp the spoken word. It is our obligation to speak on their behalf, ensuring their well-being and lives are respected and protected.” - Sylvia Dolson HAS an ever-evolving relationship with bears. Whistler residents and visitors alike are fascinated by bears and consider it a privilege to share the community with these magnificent animals. However, it hasn’t always been this way. Not long ago, the general feeling in the community was that Whistler had a “bear problem,” but that missed the point. The issue was never the bears. The real problem is how people handle food and garbage while living in the middle of bear country. Whistler was built in prime black-bear habitat, so it’s no surprise people cross paths with them often. Bears have an exceptional sense of smell and are naturally drawn to anything that offers an easy, high-calorie reward, whether it’s garbage, barbecue residue, or pet food left outdoors. When a bear discovers easy access to human food, everything changes. They WHISTLER

FOR THE BEARS Sylvia Dolson’s work with the Get Bear Smart Society was central to Whistler achieving Bear Smart Community status. PHOTO BY JOANNE VAUGHAN

lose their natural caution around people and begin searching for effortless meals wherever they can find them, sometimes causing damage in the process. This puts both people and their property at risk and puts the bears’ lives in danger. Any bear seen as assertive or “too comfortable” around humans is usually killed. When a bear pays the price for human behaviour, it is a preventable loss. Between 1990 and 2016, 263 bears were killed in Whistler as a result of preventable conflict, an average of 10 each year. A great deal of work has gone into reducing those numbers, and the community has made encouraging progress. Between 2016 and today, 38 bears have been killed—still far too

many, but a meaningful decrease that reflects years of education, planning, and commitment to coexistence. Efforts to make Whistler safer for bears took shape in 1995 with the creation of the Get Bear Smart Society. The organization focused on reducing human-caused problems for bears through education, science-based solutions, and community collaboration. Whistler is fortunate Sylvia Dolson served as executive director for 21 years. Shortly after arriving in 1996, she read a newspaper headline about a “garbage bear” being destroyed, and that moment sparked her dedication to advocacy. Sylvia founded the Bear Working Group, bringing together municipal staff,

enforcement agencies, conservation officers, waste management partners, Whistler Blackcomb, and community members. This collaborative approach became the backbone of Whistler’s progress. Under her leadership, the community strengthened education, encouraged responsible behaviour, and worked to reduce attractants that bring bears into conflict. In the late 1990s, the municipality began installing bear-resistant garbage cans and updating bylaws addressing attractants. These steps, paired with sustained education and enforcement, significantly reduced conflict over time. In 2010, Whistler applied for Bear Smart Community status, a provincial program that recognizes communities addressing the root causes of human-bear conflict. Whistler achieved Bear Smart Community Status in 2011, a milestone reflecting the community’s willingness to take responsibility for living in bear country. Before leaving for the Sunshine Coast in 2017, Sylvia was recognized by the municipality for her years of service and her leadership on behalf of bears. What began as grassroots advocacy has grown into an established, longterm program—a powerful example of what is possible when people choose compassion, responsibility, and respect for the wildlife that shares their home. n

Free Will Astrology WEEK OF JANUARY 2 BY ROB BREZSNY ARIES (March 21-April 19): Before major eruptions,

volcanoes may emit harmonic tremors. Lasting for hours or days, they are signals that pressure is building. A similar phenomenon is simmering in your sphere, Aries. Be alert. What rhythmic clues are vibrating through your system? What pressure is mounting that could eventually erupt? I’m not saying you should interpret them with a worried mind. In fact, they are offering you valuable intelligence about what needs to be released. You can either ignore them and let the eruption surprise you, or you can pay attention and arrange for controlled venting. TAURUS (April 20-May 20): Your heartbeat isn’t regular like a metronome, but slightly irregular. The phenomenon is called heart rate variability and is a sign of health. A perfectly regular heartbeat is actually a warning sign. Your heart knows something your mind might not believe: Perfect consistency is pathological. Variation is vitality. The rhythm of life includes the beautiful irregularity of a system that’s alive enough to respond and adapt. Keep these truths uppermost in mind during 2026, Taurus. You will thrive on changeability and fluctuation. GEMINI (May 21-June 20): The Greenland shark waits for animals to fall asleep, then eats them while they’re unconscious. Since it’s too slow to chase anything, it has evolved a patient approach to hunting. It acts on the understanding that everything eventually lets its guard down. I suggest you cultivate similar patience in 2026, Gemini. There’s no need to rush toward what you want. Position yourself correctly and wait for moments of opportunity. You’re playing a long game. CANCER (June 21-July 22): Atmospheric rivers are massive moisture highways in the sky. Meteorologists have been documenting newly identified patterns in how these marvels work. They’ve learned that tiny changes in ocean temperature can redirect thousands of miles of incoming

rain. This will be an excellent metaphor for you in 2026, dear Cancerian. You’ll be in atmospheric-river mode. Small shifts in perspective and slight recalibrations of intention will send your momentum flowing in different and better directions. No drama required! Simple micro-adjustments will reroute larger currents. Attend devotedly and zestfully to the subtleties. LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Certain fungi can break down pollutants like pesticides and plastics into less toxic substances. These mushrooms digest what’s considered indigestible, transforming poison into nutrients. I suspect you will have a metaphorically comparable capacity in 2026, dear Leo: a superpower that enables you to metabolize blight and taint. I predict you will exult as you eliminate stuff that’s useless and harmful. Please indulge your unusual talent to the max! VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): The US Library of Congress adds 60,000 items to its collection every week but only catalogues a fraction of them immediately. So vast amounts of knowledge sit there, acquired but not yet processed, waiting for librarians to create the finding aids that make them accessible. You’re in a similar situation, Virgo. You’ve accumulated extraordinary amounts of information, experience, and skill. But how much of it is catalogued? How much is accessible when you need it? In the coming months, I hope you won’t acquire more. Instead, you will spend time with your archives and process what you have already gathered. What do you know that you’ve forgotten you know? What experiences hold wisdom you’ve never extracted? LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): Vault doors often require two keys, turned simultaneously, to open. Why? Such a practice furthers risk reduction and fraud prevention. Let’s make this a potent metaphor for you in 2026, Libra. It will symbolize cooperation and balance as well as an enhancement of your security. The treasures you’ll be trying to access will require dual input. One key is yours: intellect,

agility, charm, initiative. The second must come from a collaborator, mentor, friend, an unexpected stranger, or even a spirit guide. Just assume that the vault won’t open through brilliance alone. It will require synchronization. SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): In December 1968, U.S. astronaut Bill Anders was orbiting the moon inside the Apollo 8 spacecraft. He snapped a photo that showed the Earth as a blue-and-white sphere rising over the gray lunar surface against the blackness of space. This iconic image helped fuel the environmental movement and transformed how humans visualized their home. You’re at a comparable pivot, Scorpio. In 2026, you will see familiar situations from new angles, and this will reorganize your understanding of how life works. That’s a good thing! Be alert for watershed moments that bring revolutionary blessings. SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): The Giant’s Causeway in Northern Ireland is made of 40,000 interlocking basalt columns formed when ancient lava cooled and contracted. Legend says a giant built it as a bridge to Scotland. Both stories are true, one geologically and the other mythologically. Your life in the coming months will remind you that multiple explanations can coexist without cancelling each other. The scientific story of lava cooling doesn’t make the giant story less meaningful. The giant story doesn’t make the geology less accurate. Conclusion: You don’t have to choose between competing narratives about your life as if only one can be true. What if both are? The practical explanation and mythic explanation describe the same phenomenon from different angles. You can be both the cooling lava and the giant building the bridge. CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Computer scientist Tim Berners-Lee invented the World Wide Web. He helped ensure its core technologies were released to the world without patents or royalties. Universal, open access mattered more to him than personal profit. That single decision was a profound gift to the

world. Billions benefited. In his generous spirit, dear Capricorn, I’ll ask whether there are any ideas, knowledge, or resources you’re holding in reserve that could multiply through sharing. In 2026, I invite you to be like Berners-Lee: a magnanimous strategist who understands that things may gain value through distribution, not restriction. Your intelligence will be worth more unleashed than protected. Your innovations will need the crowd to fulfil their purpose AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): In the myths of Mali’s Dogon people, Nommo is an amphibious, telepathic being who brought language, rhythm, and balance to Earth— and then departed. If things fall out of harmony, it’s believed, Nommo will return, speaking the lost syllables that realign the cosmos. You’re a bit like Nommo these days, Aquarius. Parts of your world may be in disarray, and your sacred task is to listen for the lost syllables. What’s missing in the dialogue? What notes aren’t being sung? If you seek gently and speak truly, restoration will follow. PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): The longest chess game theoretically possible is 5,949 moves, but most games end in under 40. Chess masters don’t win by seeing every possibility. Instead, they recognize patterns and anticipate which paths are worth exploring. Let’s apply this as a useful metaphor, Pisces. In 2016, it’s crucial that you don’t waste energy by considering improbable scenarios that will never materialize. You should be determined not to miss emerging themes because you’re too busy calculating unlikely variations. According to my prognosis, you don’t need to see further; you need to see more precisely and accurately. The chess master’s advantage isn’t exhaustive analysis; it’s knowing what to ignore. Ninety per cent of your options don’t matter. Ten per cent do. Homework: What’s the best gift you can promise yourself in 2026? 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

32 JANUARY 2, 2026

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4/11/2005 JANUARY 2, 2026

PUZZLES ACROSS 1 6 11 16 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 33 35 36 38

39 40 41 42 44 48 51 54 55 57 61 62 63 65 66 67 70 72 73

Say Paces Stuffs Get on a horse Conspiracy Tossed Serf of ancient Sparta Defensive gear Too thin and liquid Speechify Saying Striped creature Imitate God of war Corn spike Sudden increase Print measures Nothing more than Early rocker Jerry -Lewis “The pond” (Abbr.) Pasture Cheer from the bleachers Tall grass Nimbleness Butter substitute Decomposes Set off “Just you -- and see!” Praised Came to be Clamping device Drama set to music Social group Weathercock Gather Playground attraction Arab garment “-- a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World”

74 75 77 79 80 82 83 85 87 89 90 91 92 94 96 97 100 101 104 105 106 107 108 110 112 113 116 118 119 120 122 123 124 125 127 129 130 133 135 136

Gothic arch Gigantic mythical bird Condemns Actor -- Ferrer Small shark Enthusiast Hors d’oeuvre Ponders gloomily Picture Scarecrow stuffing Plot in a garden Tooth part Make safe Imaginary perfect place Monk’s title Border Greek letter Ricochet Sine qua -Actor -- Guinness Prohibit In the past Shows the way Set apart from others Type of lamp invented in 1963 Changeable Go off course “For Pete’s --!” Side Lawn grass Enormous Destiny Fisherman’s gear Canine cry Notification Cipher -- Alamos London’s Big -Color Golf standard

137 141 142 144 145 146 147 149 151 153 155 156 157 158 159 160 161 162

Dull Plant bristle Wooden shoe Evil spell Very dry, said of wine French friend Blackboard “Runaway --” Left Bank’s city Stream Laconic Garment part Lewis Carroll’s protagonist Occurrence Barbecue fare Anxious Drive recklessly Fractional part

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 30

“Get lost!” Color of moleskin Comics’ Li’l -Get brown in the sun Isle of -Kept in a warehouse -- -point landing Times Animal companion Term of endearment Burn Alert color “Woe is me!” Tycoon Sound system Labyrinth Mine’s output Earth pigment Opera by Bellini Refuse Pub offerings

DOWN

32 34 37 39 43 44 45 46 47 49 50 51 52 53 54 56 58 59 60 62 64 67 68 69 71 76 78 81 83 84 86 88 89 91 92 93 95 96 98 99 102

Everybody Effrontery Rub out Concur Hurricane’s center Way between seats -- Jima Lights-out signal Produced Stop a fast “-- Mutual Friend” Hoisting device on a ship Poetic Muse Hard to miss -- mignon Performing group Rattlesnake variety Flowed back Bargains Fashion Fuss Coagulate Wax stick for coloring Weight measure Take eagerly Frontier dwellings Marquee notice Big bird Mouser Legume Be in the red Circle portion Dull and monotonous Greek island Employees, collectively Old gold coin Luau staple Thin piece Judge’s hammer Related maternally In medias --

103 105 109 111 112 114 115 117 119 121 123 124 126 128 129 130 131 132

Swearword Winged Flavoring plant -- orange Spiked Like hazardous winter roads Payable “Indeed!” Short-lived passion Isle of exile Social blunder (2 wds.) Legal wrong Stone “-- Loves You” Brought about Endures Young bird Catch in a trap

134 136 138 139 140 142 143 144 145 148 150 152 153 154

Waterwheel Cost Poe’s bird Catkin “-- of a Nation” Try to find Bell sound Mister, in Munich French cheese Safe-travel org. Poor grade Mountain No longer working (Abbr.) “-- Got You Under My Skin”

LAST WEEK’S ANSWERS

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: HARD

8 2

9 1

1 6

7 5

3 8

8 7 4 8 5

3 9 2

2 3

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ANSWERS ON PAGE 35

36 JANUARY 2, 2026

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PIQUE’N YER INTEREST

Ten weird and wonderful wishes for Whistler WITH HEADS HELD HIGH from a week

of hangovers, here’s a few leftovers for the new year: 10 wishes (or so) for Whistler in 2026, some with more gravity than others. 1. Northlands. If there’s one thing that has plagued this town for decades—and no I don’t mean holding successive records for youth STIs—it’s what to do with that giant, empty lot next to the Racket Club. The time for playing with ourselves is over. There are smart proposals in front of council. There have been petitions from the Whistler Chamber of Commerce and pressure from the Whistler Accommodation Renters Union (WARU) to go all-in on affordable housing. It seems to me childcare is crucial,

BY TOBIAS C. VAN VEEN along with ensuring the Racket Club not be displaced or destroyed. Even WARU and the Chamber need to recognize long-term housing requires support for sinking our roots, and that this town is more than just a cluster of beds. We aren’t just building housing, we’re creating the infrastructure for culture, sport, and belonging. So get it done, do it proper, with covenants to ensure affordable housing for locals, not luxury townhouses and one-night-stands (that’s how we got this infectious plague to begin with). 2. Free Public Transport. Whistler has a way of talking all nice when it comes to climate goals, only to place too much financial pressure on those with the least to do something about it. Take that tax increase from Section 8 properties—

REBOOT THE BOOT The Boot Pub hosted some incredible bands in its day, including The Watchmen pictured here (date unknown). DAVID EVANS COLLECTION

38 JANUARY 2, 2026

thanks!—and put it back into buses. Me, I am also happy to hear electrification is coming. We were ahead of the curve with hydrogen and its quiet efficiency. Electric buses will reduce not just traffic pollution but noise, too. Now let’s start feeding tourism cash back into free transport. 3. Transparent + Open Council. Seriously, what is with all the clamming up? Want to ask a question, and it’s a regulated affair. Want to clarify something with the Resort Municipality of Whistler (RMOW), and you get the PR dept—or a legal team. Folks, you are LOCAL government. You govern from a modest, two-story building. You live down the street. Yet you earn much more, and somehow, some of you still aren’t playin’ nice with those who live here. Stop playin’. Stay open. If council Q+A is restricted and the RMOW goes mute, political activism will inevitably find itself on your front lawn. You really want that? 4. Whistler Food Co-op. Yes we have a wonderful, volunteer food bank, and it ought to be mandatory for every grocer and restaurant to donate all unsold items. But here’s the thing about a food bank: it doesn’t make sense to call it a “bank.” Food does not gain interest with time, only mould. What we really need is a Food Co-op—a publicly-owned grocer where collective purchasing power reduces prices for all. There are great models for this, like the one I visited in New York, where you could volunteer a shift in exchange for groceries. Hellya. 5. A Whistler Living Wage. It’s $30 an hour minimum to make it, folks. Anything less is below poverty line. Sure, if you’re a temp worker, don’t expect this from a dishwashin’ gig, but for anything of note this is the minimum. You can thank multiple factors for driving up the cost of living, from the impact of climate events on supply chains to the forever wars of psychologically unstable, smallD-energy politicians, but right here in

town, it’s the profit motives of ownedelsewhere megacorps that have pushed this town to near collapse. Yes, collapse. The signs are everywhere: a strained population barely breaking even that is scarcely able to handle the overtourism. Do you know what would go nice with a Renter’s Union? A Whistler Workers Union at all multinational-owned businesses. Imagine that. 6. A Whistler-Owned Village. Predatory landlords be eating us alive. Local spots are getting shafted. We need commercial rent control and long-term leases for locals. Build it into Northlands or be cursed forever by the Creekside ghost(s). 7. Half-Pipe Guy has it right. Without the wild and weird, Whistler becomes a sad spot lacking spirit. The people want a half-pipe. Now, the real question is whether there is still enough snow to make one, thanks to a worsening climate crisis that is melting glaciers and raising freezing levels. So this wish includes SNOW. But if we want snow, we need to field our dreams: if you build it, the snow will come. WB, you’ve got the technology. Bring back the pipe, because it’s possible these will be our last few years the planet can smoke it. And Vail Resorts, show us you care about Canuck (counter)culture. Seems like a great marketing angle, too. 8. Smarter FireSmart. If you’re a hammer, everything looks like a nail. If you’re a logger, every tree looks like profit—or fire fuel. If we cut enough trees down, no fires, right? If the logic made sense, then the dusty deserts of southern California would be fire-free. With Whistler cutting down green barriers beside the Valley Trail, this town needs to reconsider strategies inherited from a severely-compromised forest industry (that is, to this day, still cutting down old growth). If a big fire catches here, we have to ask whether eviscerating a few green beltways that maintain our sanity and soul will do much when embers

on the wind do most of the dirty work. There is so much to say here—that not just fuel, but temperature and humidity are important fire factors—but the very least is recognizing that what might work in B.C.’s drier Interior to mitigate fires might not work as well in a Coastal rainforest. Surely we want wet, green foliage, and not dried-out mounds of woodchips. Plus, there’s more one can do than just tree-cutting—like installing a metal roof, with a cistern to feed rainwater into a gravity-fed sprinkler system. I’ll be reporting on this in 2026— with peer-reviewed detail. 9. Reboot the Boot. Yet another icon long gone, and it’s still a parking lot. This town needs to grasp its future with both hands—and wrestle it back into the bush. So bring back the Boot. We need an all-out local venue for bands, plus them oldschool vinyl DJs. We need cages and poles and sawdust and a bangin’ soundsystem. And wouldn’t it be cool if the ReBoot was collectively-owned? No softie community centre here, just unvarnished rabble-rousers at their wildest. That’s what Whistler’s Boomers wanted in their heyday, so I am sure they will understand when I say: a rebooted Boot IS your senior’s community centre. 10. Bring back the “W.” Let’s face it: the “W” snowflake was the pinnacle of powder perfection. Ever since ditching our symbolic offering to Üllr, things have only gotten worse (and warmer). There’s a reason why the Whistler Museum sells T-shirts with the ol’ W logo, and not whatever passes since. I still mourn the day council ripped down the last wooden Whistler sign on Highway 99 at Lorimer—without consulting the community. Meaningful heritage is fast being erased here—and why? We need to respect what came before us, and preserve its weirdest elements. That’s how we keep Whistler wild. tobias c. van Veen is still wild at heart, if not as young. n

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