JANUARY 16, 2026 ISSUE 33.03
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FREE TALES FROM THE GONDY
From backwater to best-in-class Longtime locals reflect on Whistler Blackcomb’s 60th anniversary
10
BACK TO SCHOOL Waldorf School eyeing new location on Alta Lake Road
11
IN COURT RMOW denies wrongdoing in response to civil lawsuit
28
LET IT SNOW Snowed In Comedy Tour returns to Whistler on Jan. 22
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THIS WEEK IN PIQUE
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From backwater to best-in-class Longtime locals reflect on Whistler Blackcomb’s 60th anniversary. - By Alan Forsythe
06 OPENING REMARKS Whistler finally summited the peak of pre-pandemic tourism 10 BACK TO SCHOOL The Whistler Waldorf School is eyeing a new location on Alta this summer, according to Tourism Whistler—where does the resort go from here?
Lake Road, prompting concerns from local residents.
08 LETTERS TO THE EDITOR This week’s letter writers call on local businesses to 11 IN COURT The Resort Municipality of Whistler has formally denied wrongdoing in close their doors in winter, and share an update on the Northlands rezoning.
response to a civil lawsuit brought by homeowners alleging misfeasance.
20 THE OUTSIDER When it comes to minimizing the ski faff, nailing the transition is
24 CAREER CAPPED Local enduro legend Jesse Melamed reflects on a stellar career
key, writes Vince Shuley.
after announcing his retirement from racing last month.
38 PIQUE’N YER INTEREST The rogue behaviour of the current U.S. administra-
28 LET IT SNOW The Snowed In Comedy Tour returns to Whistler on Jan. 22 after high-
tion proves the worry of reprisals and malign actions is no longer theoretical, writes Leslie Anthony.
lighting the resort in a recent YouTube series.
COVER More gondolas, please. - By Jon Parris // Getty Images // Adobe AI // @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
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Thank You to Our Local Real Estate Community As we look back on 2025, we would like to acknowledge and thank the local Whistler Realtors® we had the pleasure of working with throughout the year. Real estate may be an individual profession, but it is truly a collaborative venture. The strength of our market is built on mutual respect, local knowledge, and a shared commitment to serving our community. We are proud to work in an industry that values professionalism, cooperation, and shared expertise, and we appreciate the strong relationships built through working together. Supporting local professionals strengthens our community, and we are honoured to work alongside so many respected peers. Below is a list of the local agents we had the pleasure of working with in 2025. Allira King Allyson Sutton Anastasiya Skryabina Ann Chiasson Auley Serfas Birte Jaschkowitz Bruce Watt Carleigh Hofman Carman Jean Carmyn Marcano Caronne Marino Catherine McKay Dan Scarratt Dave Beattie Dave Sharpe David Lewis David Nagel
Laddie Hannam Laura Barkman Laura Wetaski Lindsay McIvor Lisa Ashcroft Liz Tucker Madison Perry Maggi Thornhill Marion Anderson Marshall Viner Martina Cartner Matt Chiasson Matthew Callaghan Meg McLean Merideth Schutter Nick Soldan Harriss Nick Swinburne
David Wiebe Denise Brown Doug Treleaven Dylan Layzell Erin McCardle-Stiel Hannah Garcia Inderpal Singh James Collingridge Janet Brown Javi Hidalgo Jennifer Morrison Jennifer Sale John Ryan Joshua Crane Justine Levenberg Katherine Currall Ken Achenbach Kerry Batt
Peter Lalor Richard Grenfell Rob Boyd Rob Palm Robin Gilleo Ruby Jiang Sadie Brubaker Sally Warner Sam Surowy Sandra Baynham Shannon Marler Shauna O'Callaghan Sherry Baker Sherry Boyd Stephen Cartner Suzanne WIlson Theresa McCaffrey Ursula Morel
THE *The following agents are licensed with brokerages in the Whistler community - Angell Hasman, Engel & Völkers, ExP Realty, Macdonald Realty, Re/Max Sea to Sky, Rennie, Sea to Sky Premier, Stilhavn, Sutton & Unison the Ryan Group Realty
*Data - acquired from WLS 2025 *Not intended to solicit or induce breach of contract Whistlerrealestate.ca 604 932 5528
OPENING REMARKS
Back to boom times in Whistler FOR FIVE OR SO years now, there has been
a qualifying phrase tied to every discussion about tourist visitation to Whistler: “compared to pre-pandemic levels.” As in, tourism numbers are rebounding, but we’re still not where we were in 2019—the fabled “prepandemic” peak, when our biggest concern was overtourism. Those who were in the resort during the COVID-19 pandemic will no doubt remember
BY BRADEN DUPUIS how eerily quiet it grew overnight—and the gut-wrenching uncertainty that came with an empty village. It’s interesting in hindsight to consider the whiplash—from angst and anxiety over how to weather the weight of too much visitation one day, to wondering if our local businesses would even survive the next. I know which problem I’d rather have. But for the past five years, though visitation has steadily increased, that qualifier lingered, and Whistler couldn’t quite get back to those pre-pandemic highs. Until summer 2025, that is. Last week, Tourism Whistler (TW) announced summer 2025 was “the most successful summer season in the resort’s history,” with May to October outperforming previous years across all major visitation metrics. Domestic room nights hit an all-time high, with British Columbians making up half of all summer stays, while U.S. room nights ranked second-highest on record,
thanks in part to the marketing efforts of Destination Canada and Destination BC. All told, summer occupancy grew yearover-year by four percentage points (the biggest one-year increase in a decade), and finally surpassed the “pre-pandemic” hump by two percentage points. It took a little while to get the engine humming, but Whistler is fully back in business. On the surface, it looks like a textbook success: more guests, more hotel nights, and a tourism economy that’s reviving its off-peak and midweek season strategy. Those who remember the prepandemic discussion around overtourism know it’s not quite that simple. And so as Whistlerites prepare to head to the polls to elect a new mayor and council this October, it’s worth adding
recommended maximum of 30 per cent. Meanwhile, the visitation boom’s side effects show up in daily life: crowded roads, longer waits for services, and community spaces that feel more like theme parks at peak hours. These are the invisible costs locals absorb when visitation spikes. Increased occupancy and a busy village—finally shedding the “prepandemic” qualifier—is cause for celebration. Whistler’s tourism strategy is clearly working in attracting guests. But success can’t be measured only in millions of visitor nights or incremental upticks. A truly healthy tourism economy must work for residents, not just accommodate them. If more visitors make it even harder to live here, they’re not really imbuing Whistler with resilience.
[A]s Whistlerites prepare to head to the polls to elect a new mayor and council this October, it’s worth adding another pressing issue to the long list of things to discuss before we get there: overtourism and growth management.
another pressing issue to the long list of things to discuss before we get there: overtourism and growth management. It’s not a novel concept at municipal hall, where much time and energy has gone over the years into things like the Balance Model Initiative and council’s focus on Smart Tourism. Through those efforts we know that, any way you slice it, Whistler’s future is busy. The Balance Model projects more visitors, more Tastefully updated 2-bedroom/1.5bath end-unit townhome with views of Whistler Mountain. Bright open-concept living with extra windows, stainless steel appliances, granite countertops, heated tile floors, and a cozy wood-burning fireplace. Over 300 sq. ft. of storage for all your Whistler gear. Easily walk to Creekside gondola, Dusty’s and Alpha Lake Park. Unlimited owner use with nightly rentals permitted. No GST
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residents, increased workforce shortages and 50 per cent more traffic congestion by 2040. So Whistler’s next council, and those that will come after it, have their work cut out for them. Managing growth is important, but it’s also worth asking who benefits most from the Whistler boom times. More guests means more business for hotels, restaurants, and tour operators— but not all businesses benefit equally, and profits don’t always trickle down to the people footing the labour. Whistler’s hospitality sector has faced labour and housing pressures for years. Employers increasingly have to provide housing to secure staff—what once was 20 to 30 per cent of their seasonal workforce has ballooned to 80 to 90 per cent in
some cases. That’s an added cost for local businesses operating on thin margins, costs that ultimately feed into menu prices, room rates, and wage negotiations. For workers, it’s a grind. Even with good tips and steady shifts, many live paycheque to paycheque because rental costs absorb a disproportionate share of income. Surveys and anecdotal accounts show renters sometimes pay 60 per cent or more of their earnings on housing—far above the
They’re accelerating the very pressures that have long plagued this town: high housing costs, a stretched workforce, and a community identity squeezed between local needs and global demand. If Whistler wants a future built on sustainable success, it would do well to ensure the benefits of its record years are shared by all locals and the people on the frontlines, and not just the sectors that serve those who come to enjoy the views. n
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LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Why is Whistler still ‘heating the outdoors?’ I’m a Whistler local, and over the holiday period I took a walk down the Village Stroll that left me feeling disappointed. On one of the coldest stretches of the year, I noticed a number of businesses with their doors wide open while the heat was running inside. Seeing it repeated again and again was hard to ignore. This might seem like a small issue, but in a resort town that depends so directly on snow, winter, and the natural environment, it feels out of step with the values we often say we hold. Heating the outdoors isn’t just wasteful; it increases energy use at a time when we should be reducing it. The Resort Municipality of Whistler (RMOW) has been clear about its environmental intentions. Through initiatives like Big Moves and its Climate Action Strategy, the RMOW has committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and improving energy efficiency across the community. These goals are frequently highlighted as part of Whistler’s identity and future planning. If that is truly the direction we want to move in, then encouraging businesses to keep doors closed during the winter seems like a straightforward and visible step. Other cold-climate towns manage lively shopping streets without dumping heat onto the sidewalk. Customers still come
in. Businesses still thrive. What’s frustrating is that, as far as I’m aware, Whistler does not currently have a clear policy or bylaw that encourages or directs businesses to keep doors closed during heating season. For a community whose very survival depends on a cold climate, reliable snowfall, and a healthy mountain environment, continuing to waste energy in this way is difficult to justify. I’m not writing this to shame individual businesses. I care about this place, and I want everyday practices to match the
environmental goals we promote. I will also be writing directly to the RMOW to ask whether this issue is being considered. If we want winters here to continue looking like winters, the small choices matter, too. Kat Alderton // Whistler
A Christmas miracle… And I’m not talking about the storm cycle that saved Whistler’s Christmas! On Tuesday, Jan. 6, municipal staff
presented to council the results of the 4500 Northlands public engagement held over the fall of last year, the principle topic being how the resultant Community Amenity Contribution would be distributed. Support was overwhelmingly in favour of a replacement racket recreational facility and housing. Council listened attentively to the presentation, asked relevant and pertinent questions and voted in favour of further processing of the rezoning application as long as the application includes “confirmation that the application will include, but not be limited to the prioritization of the community serving components of affordable employee restricted housing and a multi-use recreation facility.” In a world where many big governments have lost their bearings it is comforting to know that our local government here in Whistler is working as it is supposed to on behalf of the community. There is still a long road ahead of us, shovels in the ground not expected for two years if all submissions, readings and rezoning move expeditiously. On the basis that the new facility will be built off-site, Spruce Grove seems to be the most sensible location. Some zoning confusion needs to be sorted out but with Whistler’s “can-do” mentality, hopefully all will end well. Thanks to the community whose voice was heard and to the mayor and council who acted on the wishes of the community. Guy Darby // Whistler n
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LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
#212 Lost Lake Lodge
Backcountry Update AS OF WEDNESDAY, JAN. 14
A wild stretch of warm weather had many of us wondering what just happened, and what comes next. Early in the storm, precipitation initially fell as snow at upper elevations, burying a layer of cooler, dry snow. It then turned into rain and saturated the snowpack surface right up to ridgetop. This resulted in a widespread natural avalanche cycle of large storm slabs, wet slabs, and wet, loose avalanches that tapered off as the storm abated Tuesday morning. One strength of the Coastal snowpack is its ability to absorb a lot of precipitation and recover quickly, typically reflected in dropping avalanche hazard ratings. This week, however, the weather had something else in store: freezing levels rose dramatically. That prolonged warmth kept avalanche hazard elevated and added uncertainty about how the snowpack would respond. This weekend, freezing levels are expected to remain high, with treeline temperatures reaching well above 0 C. With
clear, sunny skies and generally light winds, even the alpine should feel spring-like. What does this mean for the snowpack and avalanche conditions? There remains considerable uncertainty around how the recently saturated snowpack will react to this extended period of warm temperatures. Wet, loose avalanche activity should gradually ease off, especially below treeline. At treeline and in the alpine, conditions are trickier—the upper snowpack may remain reactive to human triggers and act like a springtime snowpack. Consecutive days with no overnight refreeze make deeper releases on crust layers in the middle and lower snowpack more likely. The best approach this weekend is cautious travel and ongoing assessment. Avoid avalanche start zones and limit exposure to large paths, especially on steep, sunny slopes where the snow is becoming moist due to solar radiation or periods of intense warming. Give slopes threatened by cornices a wide berth and keep well back from ridges—cornices are large, fragile, and can trigger slabs on slopes below. n
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NEWS WHISTLER
Whistler Waldorf School eyes permanent home on Alta Lake Road RMOW SET TO CONSIDER A ZONING AMENDMENT THAT WOULD PAVE THE WAY FOR A NEW SCHOOL FACILITY ON JAN. 20, BUT NEIGHBOURS QUESTION CONSULTATION AND SITE SUITABILITY
BY LUKE FAULKS WHISTLER WALDORF School may soon have a new permanent home after more than two decades of operating at Spruce Grove Park. A new zoning amendment proposes to allow school and auxiliary daycare uses on Lot 34 on Alta Lake Road, just south of the turn-off onto Old Mill Lane. The effort has sparked optimism from school officials and landowners, but also concern from nearby residents who say they’ve been left out of the process. The Resort Municipality of Whistler (RMOW) has confirmed that it—not the landowner or school—is the formal applicant behind the proposed zoning amendment. A public hearing is not on the docket, as the proposed use aligns with Whistler’s Official Community Plan (OCP), which supports educational uses throughout the municipality. First, second and third readings of the bylaw are scheduled for Jan. 20.
WHY WALDORF NEEDS A NEW SITE
The Whistler Waldorf School currently serves 177 K-12 students and operates two daycare programs for 40 to 50 children across its Spring Creek and Spruce Grove
SITE UNSEEN The Whistler Waldorf School and landowners identified Lot 34, on the southwestern side of Alta Lake, after a review of more than 50 potential sites across Whistler. PHOTO BY LUKE FAULKS
10 JANUARY 16, 2026
Park locations. The school has leased the Spruce Grove location from the municipality since 2002. “The school has been seeking a permanent location for more than 20 years,” said Waldorf board chair Kelly Hand. “During that time, an extensive evaluation of over 50 sites across Whistler was conducted, and through that process very few were identified as suitable for a school and licensed childcare.” The school’s search for a permanent home became urgent in May 2025, when the province determined operating a school at Spruce Grove—Waldorf’s home since 2002—was not a permitted use on the land under the 1982 Sponsored Crown grant that sets out the park’s governance. The Waldorf will continue to operate on the site until June 2026, after the RMOW extended the lease in 2024. The Waldorf team reached out to the owners of Lot 34 as part of their search for a new location.
LOT 34 ON ALTA LAKE ROAD
Lot 34 is located at the southwestern shore of Alta Lake, just before the turn off onto Old Mill Lane if you’re driving north on Alta Lake Road. The plot is part of the Stonebridge lands owned by local developers Duane Jackson and Bill Kunzweiler. The two have long been involved in regional infrastructure, including Valley Trail extensions, park land dedications and bringing sanitary services to Alta Lake Road and Chaplinville. “Most recently, the Whistler Waldorf School approached us to explore whether our land could be considered as a potential
school site,” Jackson explained. “We have no immediate plans to develop this land; however, we have known and supported the school for over 25 years and were pleased to explore the opportunity. “Given the school’s urgent need to secure a permanent location, we invested considerable time and effort in evaluating portions of the property that could accommodate the very specific geographic and site requirements of a school.” Jackson confirmed if the zoning amendment is approved and technical conditions are met, he would “donate the relevant portion of the land” to the school, at no cost, once subdivided. Hand celebrated the offer of a land donation as “a remarkable offer” representing “a significant benefit for the school as a non-profit organization.”
NEIGHBOURS WORRIED ABOUT TRANSPARENT PROCESS
While school officials have emphasized the planning process is in its early stages, some residents say the municipality is moving too quickly without proper consultation. Letters submitted to council ahead of the original Jan. 6 meeting voiced consistent frustration over the short notice period, lack of timely mailed notification and timing over the holidays. A sign was posted on-site on Dec. 23, giving just weeks for public input during a period when many were away. Those concerns were reflected in the municipality’s decision to move first, second and third readings from Jan. 6 to Jan. 20. Bylaws are required to be available to the public at the time of notification being posted, and the muni
was “not able to meet that requirement for the Jan. 6 meeting,” a representative of the municipality told Pique. Another point of consternation was the applicant name on the sign; the RMOW is listed as the applicant, prompting one resident to ask how the municipality can “make an application to ‘itself’ and be voted on by ‘itself.’” The municipality pointed to Section 479 of the Local Government Act, which allows a local government to amend its zoning bylaw without receiving an application from a landowner. The municipality notes the B.C. government no longer requires a public hearing for projects that are consistent with the OCP—a policy shift meant to prevent “lengthy delays and bigger costs and risks for housing projects.” Whistler’s OCP explicitly supports educational and daycare facilities throughout the municipality, eschewing the need for a hearing.
CHANGING TRAFFIC PATTERNS
Residents also expressed concerns over traffic congestion and safety. Alta Lake Road lacks transit stops and proper walking infrastructure like sidewalks. Those elements force pedestrians and cyclists onto a road with blind turns and hills. In their submissions to council, locals warned of bottlenecks, worries around emergency egress and risks to students walking or biking to school. Hand said those worries will be addressed as part of the zoning and development process. “Child and student safety is always a core priority for the organization,”
SEE PAGE 11 >>
NEWS WHISTLER
RMOW rebuffs homeowners’ misfeasance lawsuit, denies wrongdoing in Horstman rental rights dispute THE RESORT MUNICIPALITY OF WHISTLER REJECTS CLAIMS OF MISCONDUCT, SAYS GELFANDS’ CIVIL SUIT IS ‘A COLLATERAL ATTACK’ ON ONGOING JUDICIAL REVIEW
BY LUKE FAULKS THE RESORT MUNICIPALITY of Whistler
(RMOW) has formally denied wrongdoing in response to a civil lawsuit brought by homeowners Alan and Lenore Sheila Gelfand, rejecting allegations of bad faith, suppression of records and misfeasance in public office related to the loss of the Gelfands’ nightly rental rights. The civil tort of misfeasance occurs when an official knowingly abuses their power or acts with reckless disregard for the legality or consequences of their actions, causing harm to others. It requires proof of bad faith, knowledge of wrongdoing and resulting damage. In a court filing submitted Jan. 6, the RMOW and named officials denied nearly all factual claims raised in the Gelfands’ original December 2025 civil claim. The response refutes the central allegation that the municipality deliberately misled council and the public to remove the Gelfands’ ability to operate shortterm rentals at their Horstman Estates property, calling the suit “a collateral attack” on prior council decisions that are already under judicial review.
BACKGROUND: GELFANDS ALLEGE COVER-UP AND HARM
On Dec. 11, 2025, the Gelfands filed a wide-ranging civil suit against Mayor Jack Crompton, outgoing chief administrative officer Virginia Cullen, corporate officer
Pauline Lysaght, director of planning and development Mike Kirkegaard and policy planning manager Courtney Beaubien. The suit alleges RMOW officials engaged in a years-long effort to improperly strip their property of legal tourist accommodation (TA) use. The Gelfands claim their home in Horstman Estates, purchased in 1989 and operated as a nightly rental since 1996, was originally governed by the Blackcomb Land Use Contract (BLUC) and designated “Resort Lands” under three subsequent Official Community Plans (OCP). The Gelfands argue those documents designated Horstman Estates as “Resort Lands” intended to provide public beds and nightly TA. A Rental Disclosure Statement (RDS) purportedly granted indefinite TA rights to original owners like the Gelfands. The claim also accused the RMOW of suppressing “File 7715,” a municipal file allegedly containing a 1999 legal opinion that concluded Whistler would be unlikely to succeed in prohibiting nightly rentals under the BLUC. The Gelfands also alleged the RMOW violated the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act by denying the existence of the file despite prior internal reference to it and that staff unlawfully amended OCP maps to reclassify Horstman Estates without public process. “The Defendants engaged in deliberate unlawful conduct or reckless
SEE PAGE 12 >>
WHISTLER WALDORF SCHOOL FROM PAGE 10 Hand explained. “Traffic and other safety considerations are an important part of the municipal planning and review process, and the Board of Trustees trusts that these concerns will be thoroughly evaluated by RMOW as the project moves forward through its standard planning stages.” The RMOW confirmed a traffic management plan will be required as a condition of future development approvals. “A traffic engineer has been engaged for an initial high-level review,” the resort municipality told Pique in an email. As the landowners, Jackson and Kunzweiler are also preparing technical studies as required, “including environmental, wildfire, geotechnical, civil,” and recreational upgrades in the form of a Valley Trail extension. In response to concerns around who would pay for service upgrades as part of a new school facility, the RMOW confirmed “on-site services are the responsibility of the landowner.”
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“If an off-site upgrade to RMOW utility infrastructure is necessary to service this development, then it would be identified at the building permit stage and would be the responsibility of the landowner,” communications staff added.
WHAT COMES NEXT
According to the bylaw text available on Engage Whistler, the school would be permitted on a “School Parcel” of at least 0.75 hectares within Lot 34. The bylaw would also permit a subdivision to legally separate the school parcel. If the zoning is approved on Jan. 20, next steps will include development and building permits, technical studies and fundraising. “The board is approaching this, like any development project, on a step-bystep basis,” said Hand. “As milestones are reached and timelines become clearer, updates will continue to be shared with the school community.” n
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JANUARY 16, 2026
11
NEWS WHISTLER << FROM PAGE 11
The RMOW’s response reiterates its position that “tourist accommodation is prohibited in detached dwellings under the RMOW’s Zoning Bylaw No. 303,” a point upheld in earlier court rulings including Whistler (Resort Municipality) v. Miller (2001) and Whistler v. Wright (2003). The filing also alleges that when Gelfand applied for a building permit in 1996, he signed a declaration affirming the proposed use was “single family” and that submitted plans complied with Horstman Estates zoning and design guidelines.
indifference to legality and foreseeable harm,” the Gelfands’ civil claim alleges. They’re seeking general, aggravated and punitive damages, as well as declarations of bad faith and abuse of power.
RMOW DENIES ALLEGATIONS AND MISFEASANCE
In its response, the RMOW denies all allegations of spoliation, bad faith or unlawful conduct. It rejects every allegation in the civil claim’s statement of facts after the personal information of the defendants, and argues that the Gelfands’ case “incorrectly states numerous facts, refers to irrelevant facts, omits relevant facts and is [an] improper argument.” The municipality asserts that “at all times, the RMOW and its Council members, officers and employees, were acting lawfully in the exercise of their public functions and were carrying out their duties in good faith.” The RMOW adds that the Gelfands’ misfeasance suit is an improper parallel action to the residents’ earlier petition for judicial review, filed in 2025 and still before the court. In that petition, the Gelfands are seeking declarations that the RMOW’s 2022 Land Use Contract Termination Bylaw (Bylaw 2323) and the associated Official Community Plan amendments were unlawful. The RMOW argues the civil claim should not proceed concurrently with that petition.
CLAIMS OF DAMAGES DENIED
IN COURT Whistler homeowners Alan and Lenore Sheila Gelfand argue they’ve lost rental income from their Horstman Estates property, taken on debt and suffered reputational harm due to the municipality’s alleged misconduct. PHOTO COURTESY OF ALAN GELFAND
“The plaintiffs are not entitled to advance the judicial review proceeding and this proceeding concurrently,” the RMOW’s Jan. 6 response states. “The plaintiffs’ notice of civil claim is a collateral attack on RMOW Council’s decisions [and] is otherwise an abuse of process.”
RMOW DEFENDS OCP AND ZONING AMENDMENTS
The response also provides a timeline
of how the RMOW processed the termination of the Blackcomb LUC and rezoned Horstman Estates. It states that staff prepared public reports in 2016, 2021 and 2022 and that applicable property owners—including the Gelfands— received notice of the process in early 2022. A public hearing was held April 19, 2022. The rezoning bylaw was adopted on May 10 the same year and came into force on May 11, 2023.
In addition to denying the underlying claims, the RMOW rejects the Gelfands’ assertion that they have suffered harm due to the municipality’s actions. “The RMOW says the plaintiffs have not suffered any loss or damage as alleged or at all,” the filing states. And if damages were suffered, the municipality argues they were not caused by any act or omission on its part, or that the plaintiffs failed to mitigate those damages. The municipality also argues the Gelfands’ claims may be barred by the Limitation Act and various provisions of the Local Government Act which govern actions against municipalities. None of the allegations by either party have been proven in court. The judicial review proceeding tied to the Gelfands’ zoning challenge remains ongoing. n
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THIS COMMUNICATION IS NOT INTENDED TO CAUSE OR INDUCE BREACH OF AN EXISTING LISTING BROKERAGE AGREEMENT OR BUYER AGENCY CONTRACT.
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POP-UP EXPERIENCE Discover a curated edit of off-slope styles—sweaters, knits, outerwear, and accessories—designed for unwinding in style after a day on the slopes.
Visit Our Pop-Up Shop at the Four Seasons Resort Whistler Dates & Hours
January 16 – 24 January 25
12 p.m. - 8 p.m. 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.
NEWS WHISTLER
In-bounds avalanches, partial burials prompt safety reminder at Whistler Blackcomb AVALANCHE CANADA LAUNCHES NEW SITE DOCUMENTING EVERY KNOWN AVALANCHE FATALITY IN CANADA
BY BRADEN DUPUIS HEAVY RAIN and snow mixed with strong
winds made for dangerous avalanche conditions around Whistler this week. In an email to Pique, Whistler Blackcomb (WB) confirmed a pair of in-bounds avalanches occurred Sunday, Jan. 11. “The first incident occurred on Bushrat—an experts-only area on Blackcomb Mountain. Blackcomb Ski Patrol received a call at approximately 10:11 a.m. and responded immediately. Three guests were involved and unharmed and Patrol was able to clear the site at 10:50 a.m.,” a spokesperson said. “The second incident occurred in Sapphire Bowl—an experts-only area on Blackcomb Mountain. Blackcomb Ski Patrol received a call at approximately 11:41 a.m. and responded immediately. Three guests were involved and one required rescue. There were no injuries and the area was cleared by Patrol at 11:59 a.m.” Safety is a top priority at WB, the spokesperson added. “Whistler Blackcomb places the highest value on the safety of our guests and employees,” they said. “Ski Patrol
14 JANUARY 16, 2026
regularly performs avalanche mitigation work, monitors snow conditions and weather forecasts, and evaluates terrain to the extent possible as conditions change.” Find more tips for staying safe on snow at adventuresmart.ca. Meanwhile, Avalanche Canada recently launched a comprehensive new site documenting every known avalanche
fatality in Canada since 1792. The new site includes: incident reports on all fatal Canadian avalanches dating back to 1792; detailed expert incident analyses on most avalanches dating back to 1955; interactive mapping and search tools by date, location, and activity type; comparative statistics showing long-term trends and patterns; and case studies, first
person accounts, and research. According to Avalanche Canada, there have been avalanche fatalities in every province and territory except Saskatchewan, Manitoba, the Northwest Territories and P.E.I., and the earliest recorded fatal avalanche incident was in Nain, NL, in 1782. Read more at incidents.avalanche.ca. n
Tourism Whistler reports record-breaking summer visitation TOURISM WHISTLER is celebrating “the most successful summer season in the resort’s history,” with summer 2025 (May to October) outperforming previous years across all major visitation metrics, according to a new report. Overall occupancy exceeded summer 2024 by four percentage points and surpassed the pre-pandemic benchmark set in 2019 by two points—marking the largest year-over-year increase since 2015. Gains were particularly pronounced during the resort’s “traditional need periods,” including midweek travel and the spring and fall shoulder seasons. Weekend occupancy “finished in line with historical norms.” “It’s very encouraging to see such strong results across the entire summer,
particularly during the periods where we have deliberately focused our efforts,” said Barrett Fisher, president and CEO of Tourism Whistler, in a release. “These outcomes reflect the collective work of our team and our resort partners to deliver targeted, data-driven marketing and sales initiatives that grow visitation responsibly, support local businesses and enhance the overall guest experience.” Tourism Whistler credits the summer season’s success to targeted efforts that encouraged longer stays, midweek travel, and increased conference and group bookings. Strong growth in May, June, September, and October was supported by record levels of group business and enhanced off-peak programming, including the Whistler Wellness Series and Wine Walk.
U.S. room nights matched 2024’s strong showing and ranked second highest on record, thanks in part to coordinated marketing with Destination Canada and Destination BC that countered perceptions of anti-American sentiment. Meanwhile, Canadian travellers showed up in droves. Domestic room nights hit an all-time high—bolstered by British Columbians, who accounted for more than half of all summer stays. Tourism Whistler said it plans to double down on off-peak strategies in 2026, including attracting conference and group business in the spring and fall, growing out the area’s event calendar, and building coordinated marketing campaigns that attract year-round travellers. - Luke Faulks n
NEWS WHISTLER
Garibaldi at Squamish backers ‘committed’ despite provincial setback
MARCH 6 & 7, 2026
AQUILINI INVESTMENT GROUP SAYS THE BROHM RIDGE PROJECT REMAINS A PRIORITY AND IS ‘STILL IN THE WORKS’
BY JENNIFER THUNCHER The Squamish Chief BELEAGUERED Garibaldi at Squamish (GAS) all-season ski resort is still moving ahead, according to a representative of its backers, the Aquilini Investment Group Inc. “Garibaldi at Squamish Inc. remains excited about and committed to advancing our Mountain Resort Project,” said Ian Duke, executive vice-president of real estate with the Aquilini organization. “At this time, we are in ongoing discussions with the relevant agencies at the province, and are continuing to advance our discussions with Squamish Nation. We are unable to provide more specific information as we work through these steps, but expect to be able to provide more information in the coming months.” Under its provincial regulatory approval, the project has to “substantially start” by Jan. 26, but the company told the provincial government that is impossible due to road blocks put in place by Sea to Sky governments and asked the province to help overcome that obstacle and extend its deadline to Jan. 26, 2031. The province said no. The project is slated for 2,800 hectares of Crown land on Brohm Ridge. The base mountain development area would total approximately 524 hectares. The proposal includes more than 5,500 units of housing, half of which would be tourist housing. An additional 2,500 units would be reserved for resort employees. The build-out would take 30 years and employ 2,000 people with construction jobs and 4,000 long-term. Proponents are working to have Sk_wx_wú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish Nation) as a 50-50 partner. On Sept. 17, the proponents wrote a sixpage letter to the provincial government, via Anne Kang, Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sport, and Tamara Davidson, Minister of Environment and Parks, requesting support for “regulatory certainty” for the project. GAS is required to undergo a master plan approval process with the Mountain Resorts Branch of the Ministry of Tourism. One condition is getting local government buy-in. Thus, GAS asks in the letter to the province to remove that requirement— which it says has stalled the project for nine years—so it can move forward. The project is almost entirely within the Squamish-Lillooet Regional District (SLRD). “Our pursuit of an approved master plan for Garibaldi has been frustrated by the imposition of a non-technical condition over which we have no control THE
or ability to influence,” reads the letter from GAS to the province. A municipal boundary expansion is required should the District of Squamish (DOS) want to include the project within the municipality. “The agreement in principle condition has given the SLRD and the DOS an effective veto in respect of the Garibaldi at Squamish Resort,” the letter states. The letter claims the Mountain Resorts Branch was to have discussions with the SLRD and DOS, but that has not happened. It also says the regional district purposefully made moves to block the project in the region. In response to the project getting its provincial approval in the form of an Environmental Assessment Certificate, the SLRD amended its regional growth strategy (RGS) bylaw on Feb. 28, 2018, to remove all references to destination resorts, the letter states. “The regional district subsequently advised us that it would not pursue any agreement in principle discussions unless and until the RGS bylaw was amended to allow for destination resorts—such an amendment could only be initiated by a local government member of the regional district and would require unanimous approval of the local government members,” the letter states. “The District of Squamish, which is a voting member of the regional district, has taken no steps to amend its municipal boundaries to include the Garibaldi Resort area, so there was never any prospect of reaching an agreement in principle with the District. Neither the regional district nor the District have agreed to meet with us to discuss a potential agreement in principle since the imposition of the agreement in principle condition,” the letter reads. Proponents said the company has spent approximately $15 million to get to this point in the project. In a Dec. 22, 2025 letter directed to GAS’ Duke, ministers Kang and Davidson said the regulation the company requested would only have paved the way for the company to apply to the chief executive assessment officer. Nonetheless, they denied the request, as well as the request to remove the need for local government approval as part of the master plan. Regarding the regulation, they say it would be “exceptional” to grant it. They note that only one extension is allowed, and that has already been granted. “We do not consider the situation at present to be exceptional in that GAS has had sufficient opportunity to advance the project toward meeting the requirements of a substantial start determination since the EAC was issued in 2016.” Read the full story at piquenewsmagazine.com. n
WHISTLER’S LEGENDARY FUNDRAISING EVENT! Register a team to take part in the entire action packed weekend, or simply purchase evening event tickets!
FRIDAY, MARCH 6 & SATURDAY, MARCH 7 TWO-DAY QUARTET - $3,200 (4 skiers/snowboarders per team) Team package includes: Buffet Breakfasts, 2-Day Lift Tickets, Priority Lift Line Privileges, Ski With a Pro Adventure Day, Après-Ski, the Race Classic, plus tickets to the Whistler Winetastic and Mountain Top Gala.
FRIDAY, MARCH 6
PRESENTED BY RE/MAX SEA TO SKY REAL ESTATE MacDonald Ballroom, Fairmont Chateau Whistler
6:45pm to 7:30pm | VIP First Sip - $30* *Main event ticket required as well. Exclusive special pours only available at VIP First Sip.
7:30pm | Main Event - $95 A unique wine tasting event with live entertainment and an extensive collection of wine, beer, spirits and delectable bites from local restaurants.
SATURDAY, MARCH 7 MOUNTAIN TOP GALA PRESENTED BY SAMSUNG Roundhouse Lodge, Whistler Mountain
6:45pm-midnight | $275 Join us for a soiree-of-play on top of Whistler Mountain, where imagination and nostalgia will come to life! Let us ignite your sense of wonder as you enter this immersive and magical world of living toys, games, and gadgets. The Gala has it all – dinner, cocktails, dancing, live entertainment, and an auction hosted by celebrity auctioneer, Jon Montgomery. You don’t want to miss this truly unique and spectacular event!
To purchase a team and/or event tickets, please visit:
WHISTLERBLACKCOMBFOUNDATION.COM
JANUARY 16, 2026
15
FIFTY YEARS OF FREEDOM
Mixalhítsa7 Alison Pascal FEB. 5, 1977-
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 G.D. MAXWELL WHEN ASKED, Alison Pascal is hesitant
to consider her Freedom of the Municipality a personal honour. She doesn’t see it that way. She can’t see it that way. Like the land around her—her land—like the people and community she calls home, this honour is a reflection of, well, every one and every thing. “I’m accepting this award but it is based on work that’s shared with all of the Ambassadors that have worked here since we opened... and all of our Ancestors and Elders who have carried forth the knowledge of being Squamish and Lil’wat and made sure they pass it on to the next generation,” she says. “I feel like I’m a representation of all of our communities’ efforts in maintaining our culture and history. “Honestly, I was overwhelmed. When you’re looking back at your life’s work and the impacts it’s having, how the overall experience of being Indigenous in Whistler has changed, it’s really overwhelming to see that people really appreciate what you’re doing and to stop and think about all the changes that have come out of it.” Alison was raised in Mount Currie. She was immersed in the Lil’wat culture by the teachings of her paternal grandparents, then attending the T’szil Day School. Two years later, she was enrolled in a community-led program that focused on cultural learning and academics. With a parental desire for her to experience a more mainstream, academic education, Alison attended Signal Hill Elementary in Pemberton. After her schooling, with an urge to travel and a love of attending powwows, she worked a number of retail and food-service jobs to fund her passion. But realizing there was little future in that, she decided, “I was ready to find a career.” She took a six-month tourism course through Simon Fraser University followed by a First Nations Tourism Management Co-op Diploma program through Capilano college. Alison’s next training came through the Squamish Nation Ambassador Program. And when the Squamish and Lil’wat Nations worked with Aboriginal Tourism BC to create the Trailblazers Program, she enrolled in it. Having immersed herself in cultural activities, she was a natural to find her future path when the Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre (SLCC) opened in 2008. “I’d been on an educational path to work here,” she says.
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PHOTO BY DAVID BUZZARD / COURTESY OF THE RMOW
She began where most employees do, working as a frontline tour guide before moving into cultural programming and exhibition work, spending her first five years on the floor. Along the way she was guided by mentors and continued her own cultural research. She had an opportunity to begin helping put exhibits together. Canoes and Culture was one of the first ones she assisted with. “I didn’t do the curatorial work but I started having input, kind of guiding the person who did, suggesting if we’re doing this, this is what we need to include,” she says. Her work with the Ancient Medicine exhibit “really pushed us, the Centre, out of our comfort zone,” she says. “We started to think more about installations and making them really beautiful and interactive and researching and connecting with organizations outside the SLCC, like different health groups. We were really looking at Indigenous lifestyle as part of the overall medicine world.”
Alison’s training, natural curiosity and meticulous research eventually led to her roll as curator. Her curatorial efforts blossomed and came to full bloom with the work Alison and her team did transforming the storyboards in the permanent exhibit, and particularly the What We Treasure collection. It proved to be an ambitious, community-driven project and transformed the cultural representation of the SLCC. As with all her curatorial and training work, Alison is quick to point out her role as only one of many. It is never her work, it’s her team’s accomplishment, it’s her community’s accomplishment, it’s her ancestors’ knowledge and cultural accomplishments. That team and community effort was formally recognized in 2025 when Alison and her curatorial team were awarded the Pat Kelly Champion of the Arts Award at the Whistler Excellence Awards. It acknowledged the efforts and leadership
Alison brought to honouring the voices of both Nations and bringing their cultural teachings to life. It also recognized the team’s efforts at repatriating ancestral belongings from the Canadian Museum of History and blending them into the SLCC’s permanent collection. Asked about the impact the SLCC has had, and focusing on how those impacts bring value to the Lil’wat and Squamish people, as well as the visitors and residents of Whistler, Alison expressed deep understanding of the accomplishments and challenges ahead. “Sometimes our home communities get frustrated with the lack of progress toward truth and reconciliation and the efforts of the SLCC toward those goals. We hear comments that we’re always doing the same thing and it’s ‘introductory’ work. How do we take it to the next level?” she says. “But for visitors, we only see them while they’re on vacation, maybe two hours of their trip. But when they’re here, we make an impact on them. We may be the only Indigenous people they’ve ever talked to. They learn something of our cultures but they also have the experience of one-toone meeting. It helps bridge gaps. “We’re making more and deeper meaningful relationships with Whistler residents. My life goal is to help transition into a world where there’s less racism and stereotyping and where Indigenous people can feel safe and comfortable walking on their own lands without the amount of fear there used to be. I believe we have made progress within the community (of Whistler) toward that goal.” Heather Paul, former executive director of the SLCC, said of Alison, “her superpower is she can change your perspective and teach you something of her culture easily if you just spend a moment listening to her. She’s someone I always went to for guidance. I couldn’t have done my job without her. Anything the SLCC has succeeded at is a reflection of her and Allison Burns Joseph.” Asked what she is most proud of having achieved in her career, Alison responded, “There are many things, but seeing the Indigenous youth ambassadors that I’ve worked with find their passion, find what really sparks their joy and seeing them take their next steps to their chosen life path is most rewarding. Even though it’s sad to see them go on, it’s really inspiring to see the role they’re planning in their community.” The SLCC has helped change the relationship and dialogue between the Nations and the non-Indigenous local population. Alison has had a strong hand in moving that lived reality along. This is Part 20 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 final instalment next week, and find them all at piquenewsmagazine.com. n
Teen Art Collective
Sundays 3:30pm - 5:00pm $5 per class Free for AAM Members Designed for grades 10 - 12, the Teen Art Collective offers a safe space for teens to explore their thoughts and emotions through guided artmaking and creative expression.
Youth Art Collective
Mondays 3:30pm - 5:00pm $5 per class Free for AAM Members Youth Art Collective, for grades 7 - 9, combines close-looking activities in the galleries with hands-on studio artmaking, fostering curiosity and creative community.
4350 Blackcomb Way, Whistler, BC Learn more and register at
audainartmuseum.com
PEMBERTON & DISTRICT PUBLIC LIBRARY’S
ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING You’re invited to attend the Pemberton and District Public Library’s Annual General Meeting 7 PM Tuesday 27th January, 2026 Pemberton & District Public Library 7390 A Cottonwood Street, Pemberton Love the Library? Join our Board! Learn more here
Join us at 7:00 pm at the Library to hear highlights from the past year, learn how the library has adapted and grown, and connect with members of the Library Board. Bring your questions and be part of the conversation about the library’s future
Board of Directors The Whistler Housing Authority (WHA) is seeking interest from individuals to join the WHA Board of Directors. The Whistler Housing Authority (WHA) Board of Directors provides a valuable governance role and strategic oversight of Whistler’s Employee Housing Programs. WHA Board members make an important contribution to the organization and to the Whistler community in this volunteer capacity. The WHA Board is comprised of passionate and engaged community members who want to provide direction for the future evolution of Whistler’s Employee Housing Programs. WHA currently owns and operates 375 units of Employee Rental Housing and has more new units under development. We are seeking applications from people with diverse backgrounds and experiences, ideally with expertise in financial, legal, development, and risk management.
For further information and to complete an Application for Board consideration, please consult: whistlerhousing.ca Please send questions and Applications to: mail@whistlerhousing.ca
Applications must be received by 3:00pm PST on January 30, 2026 JANUARY 16, 2026
17
NEWS PEMBERTON
VOC celebrates volunteers who took part in extensive backcountry hut renovation northeast of Pemberton THE BRIAN WADDINGTON MEMORIAL HUT RENEWAL WAS THE THIRD SIGNIFICANT BACKCOUNTRY PROJECT BY THE UBC VARSITY OUTDOOR CLUB IN AS MANY YEARS
BY HILARY ANGUS VISITORS TO THE Brian Waddington
Memorial Hut will sleep more comfortably this winter thanks to an extensive summer renovation project one organizer called a “monumental achievement for everybody.” A team of 77 volunteers from UBC and the wider community spent 5,340 hours on the hut renovation project this past summer, which included a full replacement of the walls with significant upgrades to the building envelope and vapour barrier. The student-run UBC Varsity Outdoors Club (VOC) first learned the 27-year-old hut was in need of repairs when part of its roof detached from the structure in the spring of 2023. Once the roof was off for replacement, more issues were discovered. “It became clear that we would have to do a follow-up project of equal magnitude,” said Adam Steele, a UBC student and VOC executive. The Waddington Hut is one of four backcountry huts the VOC owns in the Sea to Sky corridor, which are accessible to the general public with a $15 per night donation. While reliable numbers are hard to come by since they don’t require registration, Steele estimates several thousand people use the huts each year. The 2025 wall renovation was the VOC’s third significant project in recent years, following a 2023 roof replacement and an overhaul of the Roland Burton Hut on Garibaldi Lake in 2024. Backcountry renovation comes with a host of challenges that make it
HUT-HELPING HANDS Varsity Outdoors Club volunteers pose for a group photo during an alpine work day this summer. PHOTO BY RYAN MACDONALD / COURTESY OF VOC
much more complex than your typical renovation project, Steele said. This year’s three-week, on-the-ground project required months of pre-planning, such as fine-tuned construction plans and coordinating helicopter drops for building materials, tools, and food. The hut is located northeast of Pemberton on Long Lake, close to Birkenhead Lake Provincial Park. In summer, it’s accessed by a 5.5-kilometre (2.5-hour) hike in from the nearest parking location, which itself is about an hour’s drive from Pemberton. “You can’t just run out and grab a box of nails,” Steele said. Once the work was complete, crew members spent weeks hiking materials out of the site and generally readying the
hut for winter. In addition to logistics, Steele and other members of the VOC executive— who themselves are volunteers—spent months recruiting volunteer labourers from UBC and the wider community, who Steele said came with varying degrees of construction and backcountry experience. “We try to incorporate people meaningfully as best as we can, there’s always a job for somebody,” he said, noting work rosters were designed in advance so people with more advanced construction skills would always be on site with others who may be learning to use tools for the first time. Steele said projects like this demonstrate what’s possible when the
community shares a commitment to outdoor recreation. “The VOC runs on, you know, ordinary people doing ordinary things, but a lot of them believing in the same thing, which is outdoor recreation,” he said. “It is a labour of love, but it also is a lot of work.” Steele said the VOC was incredibly grateful to have raised nearly $40,000 for the 2025 renovation from a variety of sources, including the Outdoor Recreation Council of BC (ORCBC), the BC Mountain Foundation (BCMF), the Squamish-Lillooet Regional District and the Alpine Club of Canada. Louise Pedersen, executive director of the ORCBC, said there is a common misconception that outdoor recreation infrastructure is primarily maintained by the government, when in reality much of the work is led by volunteers and community-based organizations. “Across British Columbia, thousands of volunteers contribute countless hours to maintaining outdoor recreation amenities. These efforts are often supported by small grants or partnerships, but the backbone is community commitment,” Pedersen said in an email. The ORCBC maintains the Outdoor Recreation Fund of BC, which was established in 2023 with a $10-million grant from the provincial government to support community recreation groups. Community groups can receive up to $10,000 for recreation-related projects. “Recognizing and investing in these volunteers, and making it easier for them to access funding is essential if we want our recreation infrastructure to keep pace with growing demand,” Pedersen said. Applications for this year’s funding round are open until Jan. 20, and anyone wishing to contribute to the fund is welcome to do so. n
FULLY FURNISHED 1/4 OWNERSHIP CONDO/HOTELS IN WHISTLER CREEKSIDE
CONTACT JAMES FOR AVAILABILITY THINKING OF BUYING OR SELLING?
JAMES COLLINGRIDGE
CALL JAMES FOR MORE INFORMATION.
CALL JAMES, THE LEGENDS & EVOLUTION SPECIALIST Direct: 604-902-0132 Toll Free: 1-888-689-0070 james@whistlerrealestate.net www.whistlerrealestate.net
18 JANUARY 16, 2026
WWW.WHISTLERLAWYER.CA adam@whistlerlawyer.ca | 604.905.5180
NEW start time and location!
Nightwalk January 29, 2026 Mental health challenges can feel dark and isolating, help us light up the night!
WCSS, 8000 Nesters Rd 6pm - 8pm
We’re walking 5 kilometres to raise funds and awareness to support WCSS mental health programs in Whistler! Scan the QR to Donate, Sign Up, or learn more! All ages, leashed pets welcome!
Who are you walking for? Supporting Mental Health in Whistler for 36 years!
Want to help? Imogen@mywcss.org
THE OUTSIDER
Nailing the transition IF THE RECEPTION to the subject a few weeks ago was any indication, plenty of people who read this space resonated with the idea of minimizing their ski faff. Some may even make it their 2026 resolution to faff less in skiing, and perhaps faff less in life. This, I support wholeheartedly. One of the biggest sources of faff I described during ski-touring was the
BY VINCE SHULEY transitions. This is where many novice ski-tourers seem to struggle the most, their backpacks spilling gear all over the snow before haphazardly slapping their skins to not fall behind the rest of their group. A smooth and efficient transition may seem simple, but it’s a product of years of experience, practise and adjusting your technique to your gear, and vice versa. The following shouldn’t be taken as gospel for the perfect transition, but rather a summary of what I’ve learned from ski-mountaineer racers and ski-guide mentors from over the years, and adjusted for my own preference.
GEAR
A good ski-touring backpack needs to carry your skis or board with a quick and secure attachment system. Some skiers like diagonal carry, some like the A-frame style. Make sure your pack is designed for your preferred method of carry, as
TRANSIT DELAYS Forgetting key steps in your transition can take more time from skiing. PHOTO BY VINCE SHULEY
20 JANUARY 16, 2026
the transition to bootpacking is more common than you think. If you’ve hiked the roughly 15 minutes along the Stupids to drop into Blackcomb Glacier above the wind lip, you can agree shouldering your skis is not the most efficient method. Another note on the backpack is access to your storage. After years of using a camera backpack, I personally prefer back-access. It lets me reach for that Nalgene bottle that’s made its way to the bottom of my pack without having to dig through a multitude of layers and mashing my sandwich in the process. All snowsport packs should have a separate wet storage compartment for your shovel and probe, and this is where your skins should live when you’re in downhill mode (with some exceptions, more on that later). Skins are finicky by design and a common source of faff. Glue that’s too
strips that protect your skin glue—are fine for summer storage, but I find them more trouble than they’re worth in the field when it’s blowing a gale.
TECHNIQUE
When applying your skins (that are folded with adhesive sides stuck together), start by placing your ski vertically in the snow with the base facing you and hooking the tip loop over the tip of your ski. Slowly peel the skin apart, and in the same motion, apply the skin to the base of your ski, maintaining tension as you line up the edge of the skin to leave a couple of millimetres of ski edge exposed. Some folks try to pull their skins apart first and then apply it to the ski, adding an extra step that risks contamination of the glue. When it’s time to rip skins, the first thing I do is lift my ski with my leg,
A smooth and efficient transition may seem simple, but it’s a product of years of experience, practise and adjusting your technique to your gear, and vice versa. strong makes pulling them apart a feat of strength and even a risk of shoulder injury. Glue that’s too weak will lead to snow creep between the skin and ski base, which can be treacherous if you suddenly start sliding sideways on the skin track in exposed terrain. Everyone has their opinion on the best brand of skins or the best generation of G3 glue from 10 years ago, but as long as the glue isn’t contaminated, the adhesion shouldn’t fail, provided you’re applying them with the correct technique. Oh, and skin savers—those mesh
release my toe binding with my hand and remove the ski, all in the same motion (this trick only works with tech bindings). If I stomped down the snow in front of me, I then put the tip of the ski in the snow, undo the tail clip and let the ski fall forward, letting gravity peel the skin off with the tip loop still attached. I then fold the skin in half on itself while I still have tension on the skin, keeping the toe of my ski boot on the skin tip so it doesn’t pop loose. This process avoids a flapping skin in the wind from
getting twisted up while you’re trying to get ready for your ski run. If you’re on a traverse day and have a relatively low-angle glide until your next uphill transition, consider stuffing your skins into your jacket and skiing over there in your cap and sunglasses. This lets you get through two whole transitions without even taking your backpack off—a huge time-saver. The skimo racers streamline these steps even further with a race transition (where skis stay on their feet), which can cut down transition time to just seconds. It’s a handy skill to have, but I’ve found race transitions to be quite difficult if your skis are long, wide or if your skin glue is particularly sticky. In my last column on the matter (see Pique, Dec. 21, 2025) I went through the process of getting your boots and bindings into uphill/downhill mode. This part is usually pretty quick once you know your gear, but try to think about how many times you need to reach for your ski or bend down to buckle your boots. Skimo racers avoid the number of times they bend down because it compresses their diaphragm and restricts their breathing. That may not apply to a chill day of touring with your mates, but training good habits leads to cleaner transitions, more efficiency and most importantly, more skiing. There’s no one perfect way to nail the transition. My ski-touring friends have their own methods, and we all seem to be ready to go within a few seconds of one another. The key is finding your way to do it and keep it consistent. Do that and you’ll notice it gets faster naturally over time. Vince Shuley has officially transitioned to mid-winter mode. For questions, comments or suggestions for The Outsider, email vince.shuley@gmail.com or Instagram @whis_vince. n
Electoral Area C Agricultural Advisory Committee - Call for Volunteers
WHAT? The SLRD is looking for interested residents of Pemberton and Electoral Area C to serve on the SLRD Electoral Area C Agricultural Advisory Committee (AAC). WHO? Anyone with an interest or expertise in agriculture and related matters is welcome to apply. Applicants should: • • • • •
PEMBERTON BUSINESS PARK - LEASE AND PURCHASE OPPORTUNITIES! 7341 Industrial Way • • • • • •
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Be a land owner and/or permanent resident of Electoral Area C or Pemberton Have an interest in preserving the viability of farming in the Pemberton Valley and surrounding area Be from the farming and ranching community (optional) Posess a clear understanding and knowledge of topics affecting agricultural land Be available to commit to roughly 4-6 meetings per year, for a one year or two year term
HOW? Application forms can be obtained on the SLRD website, or by contacting the SLRD office. Please submit your application no later than 4pm on January 30th, 2026. For additional information please contact: Anna Koterniak, Planner Analyst Squamish-Lillooet Regional District Tel: 604-894-6371, ext. 237 E-mail: AKoterniak@slrd.bc.ca
Notice of Proposed Zoning Amendment Bylaw - No Public Hearing to be Held Zoning Amendment Bylaw (School Use) No. 2503, 2026 (the “proposed bylaw”) 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 below, 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 20, 2026 To learn more: A copy of the proposed Bylaw will be available for review until January 20, 2026 at: • Municipal Hall at 4325 Blackcomb Way, Whistler, BC, during regular office hours of 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday to Friday (statutory holidays excluded) • Online on the Resort Municipality of Whistler (RMOW) website at: engage. whistler.ca/public-hearings-anddevelopment-notices SCAN THE QR CODE FOR A COPY OF THE PROPOSED BYLAW
Resort Municipality of Whistler whistler.ca JANUARY 16, 2026
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FEATURE STORY
From backwater to best-in-class Longtime locals reflect on Whistler Blackcomb’s 60th anniversary
of mountain ownership in Whistler. In 2026, the world-class ski resort celebrates 60 years—but even those who lived a large swath of that history find Whistler’s progress hard to believe.
FROM HUMBLE By Alan Forsythe BEGINNINGS
A
s Whistler Blackcomb celebrates its 60th-anniversary season, it might be assumed success was always a given. Longtime locals know the lore tells a different tale. “Those early years were tough. Failure was breathing in your face every day,” recalls Whistler councillor and former longtime Whistler Blackcomb employee Arthur De Jong. “Our first-year visits were way below projections, interest rates hit 21 per cent, the town went bankrupt, [and] the province had to bail us out.” You’ve likely heard some abbreviated version of Whistler Blackcomb’s history: the bailout worked; Whistler survived, and eventually thrived. Competition sprung up on Blackcomb Mountain in December of 1980; the two mountain operators merged to form Whistler Blackcomb (WB) in 1997. Whistler fulfilled the vision of its original forefathers in 2010, when it finally hosted the Olympic Winter Games. And in 2016, American skiindustry giant Vail Resorts purchased Whistler Blackcomb, marking a new era
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“Our first Olympic submission was just ridiculous,” says De Jong. “But it says a lot about Whistler; we’ve always had that crazy passion and vision.” De Jong knows something about the vision of Whistler. He came to the resort in 1979, a fresh-faced teenager from his family’s dairy farm in the Fraser Valley. He started as a ski patroller (lying about his age to get the job) and went on to work for Whistler Blackcomb for 40-plus years. “I’m still in denial that it’s been 60
years. It feels like it’s happened much faster,” says De Jong. “Whistler is an absolutely remarkable story. When I’m asked to speak in other countries about Whistler, and what we’ve done right, I call that speech, ‘From Backward Backwater to Best-in-Class.’ It keeps you humble, and we always have to have a cautious eye to the future, and futureproof the resort.” As an environmentalist, De Jong has concerns about climate change and the snowpack, but is buoyed by the fact Whistler has evolved into a four-season resort. One of those instrumental in transitioning Whistler to a year-round destination is Eric Wight, founder of Backroads Whistler, who in 1985 convinced Whistler Mountain to use its lifts in the summer to give mountain bikers access to the alpine. Those efforts were a precursor to the wildly popular Whistler Mountain Bike Park, which officially opened in 1999. However, like everyone else, Wight originally came for the skiing. “I grew up in Burnaby, living in the winter rains,” Wight recalls. “During my morning walk to school I could see the PHOTOS COURTESY OF THE WHISTLER MUSEUM AND ARCHIVES
snow-covered North Shore mountains and knew in the snow I could be having fun.” Wight says his first trips to Whistler were day trips with his older brothers in the late ’60s, early ’70s. “Half the time we were stuck on the highway due to snow and closures,” he remembers. But the mountains kept calling to him. “It was either move to the Kootenays or Whistler. Whistler was becoming an actual ski town, and had more opportunity, a bigger hill, close to the city and the ocean,” he says. “I knew Whistler was going places, I could see the opportunity. I suggested to my dad he buy a place and I’d rent it. He said, ‘go buy your own place.’” Eventually Wight did, and 40-plus years later he’s still here. Is he surprised at the evolution of Whistler from ski hill to four-season resort? “Not at all. Whistler [Alta Lake] was a successful summer resort,” he says. “That we’ve revitalized summer operations does move us toward a year-round worldclass resort.”
FEATURE STORY come from Australia for a season or two high school] and told my parents I just (and sometimes stay much longer). wanted to ski for a year, and get it out of Libby McKeever, who many longtime my system,” Douglas recalls. He didn’t, Compared to some, Ralph Forsyth is a residents might know as “the town’s and has remained in Whistler ever since. “Like everyone, I got myself two jobs relative newcomer to Whistler, arriving librarian” for her decades-long work as in December of 1991. During his time in a librarian first at the local public school, to start, sometimes it was three or four,” he says. “Of course the goal was to ski Whistler he has gone on to start businesses, then at the Whistler Public Library, is and served on council from 2005 to 2011, the latter. She was married to former as much as possible, so I worked nights.” Work multiple jobs, ski as much as and again from 2018 to present—but back Whistler Councillor Gord McKeever, who possible—sixty years on, some things then he was here for the same reason as passed away in 2018. “I met Gord in Fiji in 1981. I went back haven’t changed. On a similar note, everyone else: to ski. Douglas says Whistler’s housing crunch “I’m originally from Quebec, and I to Australia, but then Gord called me watched Rob Boyd win the downhill in the and said, ‘you have to come to Whistler,’” has always existed. “Accommodation was almost World Cup race in Whistler, and thought, I McKeever recalls. “That was January of ’82. There weren’t many Aussies here then. impossible back then, too. I remember I need to go there,” Forsyth recalls. He headed out West almost There were only about 900 people living came in September and slept in my car in full-time in Whistler total.” McKeever parking lot 3 for three or four days while immediately and wasn’t disappointed. I looked for a place,” Douglas recalls. “It was like an electric factory here. If was one of those young, cool people someone had a problem it was fixed on Forsyth encountered when he moved to “When the [Whistler Question newspaper] the spot. It was an amazing time, and Whistler. And similarly, arriving almost came out … there were exactly six it was so much fun to be a part of it,” 10 years earlier, McKeever experienced accommodation listings, and it was a race to call them.” Forsyth recalls. “Yes, it was a bit Wild the same excitement. “It was a grand adventure. I was this Douglas eventually found a place to West—things changed fast, but it was great to see all the young people here. young Australian girl who’d grown up on live via one of the town’s bulletin boards, beaches, and skied once before in her life, but even then, had to wait five weeks for Everyone was young and cool.” Boyd, the ski-racer Forsyth watched and here I was in the mountains in Canada a call back, when a group of roommates in January, where you had to look way up lost their first choice. on his TV, came to Whistler with his “I think it’s the case with everyone’s family in 1982, when their small ski hill to see the mountains. And the amount of outside of Vernon failed in the early snow, I was astounded,” McKeever says. “It Whistler dreams,” Douglas says. “There’s ’80s recession. Already a ski-racer, he was fun. We worked a lot, skied a lot, with always been a housing crisis, but it’s the qualified for the B.C. team, then the everyone else doing the same, it was just people that stick with it that stay.” national team in ’84 running his first super fun. We went back to Australia twice, World Cup downhill in Whistler that year. but Whistler always called us back.” Boyd has been involved with the Whistler Mountain Ski Club and the Whistler Blackcomb Freeride Team, among other coaching gigs since retiring from racing, However, the way forward is still a but these days he’s known as a local real question mark. estate agent, which has helped him see a Mike Douglas, local freeskiing legend and “The one thing I know we can’t do different side of Whistler. founder of Switchback Entertainment, is lock off the place and stop building. “In my work as a realtor I’ve discovered whose ski films help promote the resort Telluride did that, and it just pushed all neighbourhoods in Whistler I wasn’t around the world, came to Whistler in the locals out of Telluride,” Douglas says. really aware of, little streets and hidden 1988, just as Whistler was hitting the top- “I’m glad that when we hit the bed cap, we enclaves,” Boyd says. “It opened my eyes five ratings in all the ski magazines and broke through.” Going forward, he adds, to see the community at large, and also becoming known to the wider world. the best this council and future councils helped me reconnect with old friends.” “I came here for my gap year [after can do is measured, continued progress Like many who have skied in the and adapting to what the valley for years, he has his preference community needs. of mountains, choosing Whistler over Forsyth agrees that Blackcomb. while the town has changed “I live at the base of Whistler, so I can from the days when you walk to the lifts,” he notes. could walk into Tapley’s The electric, youthful vibe of Neighbourhood Pub and the town is accentuated by its young, run into everyone, Whistler transient workforce, many of whom has managed to hang on to what’s made it special through the years.
ELECTRIC FACTORY
THE MORE THINGS CHANGE
WHERE DOES WHISTLER GO FROM HERE?
“It still takes me 30 to 45 minutes to go through town. There are still a lot of us [old timers] here. But sure, we’ve grown. For example, I used to know all of the ski patrollers,” Forsyth says. Still, he appreciates that Whistler is “not like Aspen or Vail, where there’s no soul, no vibe,” he says. “Not like here, where the barista who handed you a coffee in the morning, you see at après.” For all of Whistler’s success, what, if anything, could or should have been done differently? Forsyth, Wight and Boyd all agree more should have been done in the Callaghan Valley south of Whistler. “We should have built the athletes village in the Callaghan, as proud as I am of what we did [in Cheakamus Crossing],” Forsyth says. “The criticism was that would have created sprawl, but I just think it’s a beautiful location that’s underused.” Wight echoes that thought, saying building a mountain village in the Callaghan and opening it up to downhill skiing would spread out the masses and reduce the strain on Whistler Blackcomb as one mega resort. Boyd also feels downhill skiing should have been expanded down valley, opening up Powder Mountain, as local visionary and one of Whistler’s original aldermen Al Raine once envisioned. “In Italy there are places [in the Alps] where you can ski the whole valley. We have the terrain, we have the snow, so why not make Whistler more of a ski region?” Boyd says. “There are more modern ways to do infrastructure. We could be leadingedge in sustainable development.” That said, all agree Whistler is blessed, its success almost preordained by its unique geographical setting. As De Jong and Forsyth say, a wide mountain valley with a string of lakes, surrounded by towering peaks that are accessible, is almost unheard of. Or as Boyd puts it: “I know a lot of people trash talk the corporate takeover of Whistler, but if you’re in the right place at the right time, maybe a little enclave out of bounds at sunset, you still experience the soul of the mountain.” Check back with Pique in the weeks and months to come for more on Whistler Blackcomb’s 60th anniversary. n
PHOTOS SUBMITTED
JANUARY 16, 2026
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SPORTS THE SCORE
‘I’ve always had the drive to be the best I could’ RECENTLY RETIRED ENDURO STAR JESSE MELAMED DISCUSSES HIS OUTSTANDING CAREER
BY DAVID SONG EVEN NOW, Jesse Melamed insists that
his younger self never possessed concrete goals in mountain biking. That’s not to say he lacked ambition. Melamed knew he wanted to excel at something and his mom will tell you about how he visualized the future on paper during childhood. A relative lack of height waylaid his original dream of playing professional hockey, then a knee ailment shelved his next goal of becoming a pro skier. He pivoted again. “I’ve always had the drive to be the best I could at whatever I was doing, and then the instinct to know which to pursue,” said Melamed. “I just rode a bike because my family did it and we raced because it was a natural thing to do. When given the chance, I know that if I am going to do something, I’m going to work hard at it. All of a sudden I’m winning races … but I wouldn’t say I was a kid dreaming of being Enduro World Champion one day.”
A NEW DIRECTION
Spoiler alert: Melamed flourished. He notched the most points of any rider in the COVID-truncated 2020 season, and two years later became the first Canadian to officially win an Enduro World Series (EWS) title.
CAREER FOR THE AGES Jesse Melamed forges on despite mechanical issues at the 2025 Canadian Open Enduro. PHOTO BY CLINT TRAHAN
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Melamed contended for 13 years, racking up the second-most wins in enduro history—many of them for Rocky Mountain Race Face (RMRF). Distinguishing himself all over Europe, he was also stoked to perform perennially for home fans at Crankworx Whistler. Fellow Sea to Sky talents Remi Gauvin and Andréane Lanthier Nadeau helped Melamed vault RMRF to second overall in 2022’s team rankings. When asked to look back on that era of their lives, Melamed spoke about “just how much fun they had”: lauding former downhiller Gauvin for teaching him about bike setup and Nadeau for keeping everyone in a healthy, lighthearted mindset. “We were kind of in the peak days of enduro and there was a ton of attention on the sport,” Melamed remarked. “All the brands loved us and it was a really good time to be doing what we were doing—basically just travelling the world with your friends. We were the only Canadian team battling the world and showing that we could compete because it was a European-dominated sport.” Last year, at age 33, the local legend heard the bell toll for his decorated career. Physically he was beginning to succumb to the ever-present stress of competition, and as a self-proclaimed “all-or-nothing” individual he desired not to race halfheartedly. Just one goal remained: to show that victory was still achievable near the end. The site of Melamed’s final Enduro World Cup (EDR) breakthrough was Leogang, Austria. On June 8, 2025 he fought past a slow start to triumph there and knew it was enough. Two more bronze medals did follow in Val di Fassa
and La Thuile, Italy: perhaps a bit of icing on the cake. “I think that’s a pretty good place to leave it,” Melamed said. “My contract [with Canyon CLLCTV] was ending at the end of the year. I had won a race again, which I really wanted to prove I could do. Talking to the brands I wanted to work with, it became apparent that they valued my product knowledge more than racing so it made more sense to fully commit to the new direction.” Details are still to come, but Melamed plans to ride as a brand ambassador going forward. His engineering degree from the University of British Columbia makes him attractive to numerous manufacturers, who want to access that kind of knowledge in developing their products.
THE POTENTIAL TO BE BETTER
Visit Melamed’s retirement post from Dec. 12 last year on Instagram and you’ll see plenty of credit given from across the mountain biking world. “I love you and I am beyond grateful to have been a part of your journey ... so proud of you!” commented Nadeau. Reigning Canadian Open Enduro titleholder Elliot Jamieson said: “What an unreal career, man. So grateful to have been able to share some of it with you, and stoked to keep ripping together!” “Congrats, Jesse!” wrote local pro rider Yoann Barelli. “Big cheers for being an inspiration for the future generations and to me as well. Your commitment and attack on the bike is still to date, unmatched. Amazing career and most of all, sportsmanship.” Gauvin, former Team Canada
downhill mainstay Claire Buchar, twotime King of Crankworx Ryan Gilchrist and even ski-cross ace Marielle Thompson were among the many who took to social media to give Melamed his flowers. So did 2021 Enduro World Champion Jack Moir shortly before announcing his own retirement in early January. “I feel like I’m a humble person, so to say that I’m honoured kind of accepts the fact that I’m someone people look up to,” mused Melamed. “Not saying I don’t see myself highly, but it just blows me away that I could be a role model and an inspiration for kids. I looked up to all the Canadians ahead of me who paved the way … enduro obviously holds a special place in my heart, and I will give as much time and energy as I can to the kids coming up. I want to see Canada continue to develop.” Melamed also realizes his vast experience is no longer sufficient to consistently hold off some of the aforementioned “kids.” Jamieson bested him at last year’s Enduro Nationals and Lief Rodgers nearly upended him at the Squamish Enduro. The new generation has arrived, and Melamed feels he “doesn’t really need to lose to them in the future.” He’ll hang up the bike with a heart full of gratitude—but he’ll never hang his head. “People will see the wins and maybe think it was easy, but I know how much I struggled in the beginning, how many crashes and how many injuries I went through and just how hard I kept working,” Melamed said. “That’s what makes me the most proud: I never gave up. Regardless of winning or not, all I looked at was the potential to be better.” n
SPORTS THE SCORE
GIBBONS NETS DOUBLE GOLD
The year’s maiden U16 Teck Coast Zone event was hosted on Jan. 10 and 11 by Whistler Mountain Ski Club (WMSC) despite the coincidental arrival of a potent storm cell in the Sea to Sky area. WMSC girls dominated Saturday’s tworun slalom race, with Cecily Gibbons victorious in front of Anna Lukavska and Maggie Hertz in that order. Kieran Douglas won the boys’ event. Olivier Courcelles occupied runner-up position and Eames Kim from Grouse
“Racing on home turf is an amazing way to start the season...” - JAYDEN METCALFE
clubs, and all of the incredible volunteers who helped make this happen!”
WMSC MEMBERS NAMED TO BC SKI TEAM
This year’s BC Ski Team lineup is now official, and four Whistler Mountain Ski Club (WMSC) products have been selected. Lola Gilbert, the Canadian U19 downhill champ from 2024-25 and last year’s Spring Series Super-G winner, is making her BC Team debut alongside fellow first-year athlete Dreas Gibbons. Hannah Jensen and Thea Torn are back for their sophomore campaigns, and both harbour aspirations of progressing on the Nor-Am circuit. Morgan Pridy, who once coached the likes of senior national team member Sascha Gilbert, is on board as head coach. “My favourite discipline is definitely [super-G] because I love the element of speed and how each track is different and with its own challenges,” Gilbert said in her team bio. “My favourite place to race is Sun Peaks because it’s always sunny, vibes are high and I have been going there ever since I was a little kid.” Find the whole roster at bcalpine.com. n
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Applications open to non-profits with Charity or BC Society # All grant guides available online now. Grant portal open January 5 - January 31, 2026
whistlerfoundation.com/grants
ARE YOU A COMMUNITY BUILDER? JOIN US!
WCF is seeking new members for the finance committee. Everyone is welcome to apply. Knowledge of finance is required. Please reach out to info@whistlerfoundation.com for more information about how you can make an impact with your skills and community knowledge.
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LOCAL ATHLETE Isabella Heninger struck overall gold at the Jan. 11 BC Snowboard Provincial Series slopestyle event in Whistler with a high score of 82.50. Maya Veitch settled for silver (79.17) and bronze went to Elle Choi (72.17). Colton McHatten (83.83) and Kanon Ling (73.00) finished second and third respectively in the boys’ division, but neither Whistler Valley Snowboard Club (WVSC) product could match overall victor Stian Langbakk (88.00). BC Snowboard vice-president and contest technical delegate Tim O’Brien figures that roughly a foot of fresh snow fell over the weekend, but riders and their coaches adjusted to less-thanoptimal conditions. “The support from Whistler Blackcomb is always amazing,” said O’Brien. “They’re a great place to run an event. They have a world-class venue that our national team trains at, and we were competing right next to their training location. What’s great about the venue is the way the rails are laid out and the way the jumps are laid out: they’re very safe. And it was soft snow ... things slow down and the landings get softer. “The Whistler Valley Snowboard Club are a great host club ... everybody involved just has a really great, positive attitude so when kids from Sun Peaks, Silver Star, Calgary, Yukon and all over get there, it’s like they’re all friends.” O’Brien also praised WB chief of competition Julian Gagne and head judge Jackie Carlson for their efforts in facilitating a safe, quality event. All are excited for the level of talent on display. “The venue lends itself to really great performances,” O’Brien said. “We know that our athletes are world-class, coming from B.C. and from Whistler. You just look at our national slopestyle team, we place athletes on that team all the time. We’ve got a couple up there right now that are probably Olympic-bound. These athletes, they’re the next generation.”
Mountain Tyee Ski Club finished third. Gibbons triumphed again on Sunday while Lukavska placed second once more. Rounding out the top three was Whistler’s Taylor Duess. Meanwhile, Courcelles grabbed gold as fellow locals Bryan Liu and Finley Wood earned silver and bronze respectively. “All of the coaches were pleased with the grit and determination that the athletes displayed despite facing challenging course conditions due to the heavy snow accumulation throughout the two days,” said WMSC coach Jayden Metcalfe in a press release. “We loved seeing so many smiling faces, positive attitudes, and supportive teammates. Everyone has been working hard during the pre-season and it was exciting to see the effort and improvements reflected in a race environment. “Racing on home turf is an amazing way to start the season and give the kids a chance at some true competition before we head off to the first Teck Open race series in Sun Peaks next week. Thank you to the race organizing committee, visiting
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BY DAVID SONG
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SPORTS BRIEFS: CECILY GIBBONS NETS DOUBLE GOLD; FOUR WMSC MEMBERS NAMED TO 2026 BC SKI TEAM
GOT GREAT GOALS? GET GRANTS
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Isabella Heninger wins overall girls’ title at BC Snowboard Provincial Series in Whistler
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whistlerfoundation.com JANUARY 16, 2026
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EPICURIOUS
Table Nineteen returns winter threecourse menu for second straight year THE PRIX-FIXE MENU COSTS $45 PER GUEST AND IS AVAILABLE UNTIL END OF MARCH
BY DAVID SONG NOT TOO MANY restaurants in Whistler
are offering a three-course prix fixe menu at the moment, but Table Nineteen is. According to Danielle Poupart, sales and events manager at the Nicklaus North Golf Course where Table Nineteen is located, this particular menu aims to provide locals and Sea to Sky visitors with bang for their buck during the golfing offseason even though most other venues roll out their own prix fixe options in spring and fall. Executive chef Philipp Werner and pastry chef Sonja Schiffner have dreamt up a myriad of tasty options for a notable casual dining experience at $45 per visitor. The prawn wonton soup and maple- and apple-glazed pork belly are both well-received first-course dishes, while the pan-seared Brome Lake duck breast stands out as a main. Six-ounce flat iron and 14-ounce ribeye steaks are also available at a $5 and $39 extra
YOUR TABLE IS READY Whistler restaurant Table Nineteen has brought back its winter three-course prix fixe menu for a second year in January. PHOTO BY JUSTA JESKOVA
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charge, respectively. Most of the desserts are fairly unique: everything from peanut butter blondies and raspberry croffles to gianduja (a homogenous chocolate blend with at least 30 per cent hazelnut paste) matched with yuzu (an East Asian citrus fruit). “Philipp does come from quite an extensive culinary European background,” says Poupart. “Our summer menus and winter menus are very different. Our summer menus are more catered to patio vibes, golfers and people coming by on the Valley Trail for a drink and some appetizers. But in the
amazing desserts. We believe her skills are really showcased here.” The winter prix fixe menu is in its second year and already very different from its 2025 predecessor. Some dishes will change each month until the end of March, when Table Nineteen begins pivoting back toward its golf season cuisine, although the most popular items will likely be retained.
A STANDALONE BRAND
Nicklaus North management staff have laboured to establish Table Nineteen as
“In the wintertime, historically, it’s been cheese fondue, but we’re trying to move away from being known just for fondue and offer some other great elevated dining experiences.” - DANIELLE POUPART
winter here, our chef really gets to shine and create some special dishes that are elevated and unique. “We have an incredible pastry chef, [Sonja], who makes some delicious and
more than just an entity joined at the hip to a golf course. “We do our best to provide great service and I think creating a brand for Table Nineteen as a standalone
restaurant … has been pretty important in recent years,” Poupart comments. “Our Happy Hour is quite popular with locals—we do draw a bit of a local crowd, and then they might take a look at the menu and they decide to come back another day. We still see quite a few of our members as well throughout the winter so we definitely appreciate their support. “A lot of people think of Table Nineteen for Whistler’s best patio, they think of us for golf. In the wintertime, historically, it’s been cheese fondue, but we’re trying to move away from being known just for fondue and offer some other great elevated dining experiences.” The restaurant’s three-course menu launched on Jan. 5 and early reception has been positive as of this writing. Front-of-house staff report that some guests are already coming in to check out specifically the prix fixe as opposed to Happy Hour, and Poupart expects that trend to go on as word of mouth spreads throughout town. Both coexist harmoniously, however. Table Nineteen makes Happy Hour available from 3 to 5 p.m. each day, and the three-course menu is available from 3 p.m. onwards. Visit tablenineteen.com for reservations and additional details. n
MEADOW PARK SPORTS CENTRE SWIM • SKATE • SWEAT • SQUASH OPEN DAILY: 6 a.m. to 9 p.m.
FITNESS CLASS SCHEDULE JAN 16 FRIDAY
JAN 17 SATURDAY
I Full Body HIIT 7:30-8:30 a.m. Jess I Functional Strength & Conditioning 9-10 a.m. Jess
JAN 18 SUNDAY
JAN 19 MONDAY
JAN 20 TUESDAY
JAN 21 WEDNESDAY
JAN 22 THURSDAY
I Strength & Stability 7:30-8:30 a.m. Lauren
I Mountain Ready Conditioning 7:30-8:30 a.m. Steve
R Mountain Lift + Conditioning 6:15-7:15 a.m. Francesca
I Strength & Cardio 7:30-8:30 a.m. Lou
R Mountain Lift + Conditioning 6:15-7:15 a.m. Francesca
I Low Impact Strength 9-10 a.m. Lauren
R The M Class F Yin & Yang 9-10 a.m. Yoga Mel K 9-10 a.m. Mel K
I Spin Mixer 7:30-8:30 a.m. Andrea
I Strength & Stability 9-10 a.m. Lou
I Low Impact Strength 7:30-8:30 a.m. Andy
I Aqua Fit Deep End 8:45-9:45 a.m. Marie-Anne
R Mom & Baby 10:30-11:30 a.m. Lou
I Aqua Fit Shallow End 8:45-9:45 a.m. Marie-Anne
I Step & Strength 9-10 a.m. Liz
I Gentle Fit 12:30-1:30 p.m Mel K
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
R Postpartum Core & Glutes 10:30-11:30 a.m. Sara R Youth on Weights 3:30-4:45 p.m. Andy R Stride Forward 5:15-6:15 p.m. Julia
R Enduro Swim 12-1 p.m. Hector R Lift Club 3:45-4:45 p.m. Steve
I Torch Tuesday 5:30-6:30 p.m. Jess
I Full Body HIIT 5:15-6:15 p.m. Andy
R Girls Strength Club 3:45-4:45 p.m. Julia R Prenatal Fitness 5:15-6:15 p.m. Sara
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
I Strength & Mobility 6:45-7:45 p.m. Jess
F Disco Spin 5:30-6:30p.m. Jess
F Spin 5:30-6:30 p.m. Courtney
I Zumba 6:30-7:30 p.m. Carmen
I Mountain Ready Conditioning 6:30-7:30 p.m. Francesca
I INCLUDED FITNESS These classes are included with your price of admission for no extra charge.
POOL HOURS JAN 16 FRIDAY
JAN 17 SATURDAY
JAN 18 SUNDAY
JAN 19 MONDAY
JAN 20 TUESDAY
JAN 21 JAN 22 WEDNESDAY THURSDAY
6 a.m. - 3:45 p.m. 6 a.m. - 9 p.m. & 6-9 p.m.
6 a.m. - 9 p.m.
LAP POOL
6 a.m. - 3:45 p.m. & 6-9 p.m.
6 a.m. - 9 p.m.
6 a.m. - 9 p.m.
6 a.m. - 3:45 p.m. & 6-9 p.m.
LEISURE POOL
9 a.m. - 12 p.m. & 3:45-7 p.m.
9 a.m. - 7 p.m.
9 a.m. - 7 p.m.
9 a.m. - 12 p.m. & 3:45-7 p.m.
9 a.m. - 12 p.m. & 3:45-7 p.m.
9 a.m. - 12 p.m. & 3:45-7 p.m.
9 a.m. - 12 p.m. & 3:45-7 p.m.
HOT SPOTS
6 a.m. - 9 p.m.
6 a.m. - 9 p.m.
6 a.m. - 9 p.m.
6 a.m. - 9 p.m.
6 a.m. - 9 p.m.
6 a.m. - 9 p.m.
6 a.m. - 9 p.m.
ARENA SCHEDULE Please see whistler.ca/recreation for the daily arena hours or call 604-935- PLAY (7529).
whistler.ca/recreation |
@RMOWRecreation | 604-935-PLAY (7529)
• • •
ARTS SCENE
Snowed In Comedy Tour highlights Whistler in new YouTube series THE TOUR RETURNS JAN. 22 FOR A SHOW IN THE MAURY YOUNG ARTS CENTRE
BY DAVID SONG THE SNOWED IN Comedy Tour is billed as
“a legendary Canadian experience” and its members agree: over 16 memorable years, Whistler has always been a crown jewel of a destination. As a result, it was a no-brainer to feature the Sea to Sky in their new Snowed In Comedy Tour TV Series. Check it out and you’ll watch Pete Zedlacher experience the high-G rush of bobsledding alongside tour founder Dan Quinn at the Whistler Sliding Centre. Not to be outdone, Paul Myrehaug gave bungee jumping a try. Erica Sigurdson joined the guys for a leisurely walk through Vallea Lumina and the famous train wreck in Cheakamus. “It was one of our favourite episodes,” Zedlacher recalls. “Champagne problems, as we say in the business: where we’re so busy with all these projects that we had very little downtime to ourselves—but the result was great. I
SNOW PATROL Pete Zedlacher of the Snowed In Comedy Tour. PHOTO BY ROB PERRY
28 JANUARY 16, 2026
did not realize [bobsledding] was going to be that intense, I was really bruised up and banged up afterwards. Incredible athletes who can pull that off as a regular training thing. “I would really recommend to everybody that hasn’t seen the Whistler episode to tune in. It’s streaming on YouTube for free. They’ll get a good vibe of who we all are individually before we
set to return on Jan. 22 for another stand-up extravaganza.
‘LIVING AN INTERESTING LIFE’
Zedlacher is ecstatic to realize his dream as a professional comedian—being recognized as SiriusXM’s Top Comic and half a dozen nominations for the Canadian Comedy Award for Best Male Standup is icing on the cake. Mostly he’s just
“I would really recommend to everybody that hasn’t seen the Whistler episode to tune in. It’s streaming on YouTube for free.” - PETE ZEDLACHER
hit the stage. I’m very proud of that TV show. I’m so glad we did all that hustle last year because it really paid off.” Longtime locals may recall Snowed In’s past appearances at the Garibaldi Lift Co. (GLC): snowboarding by day, performing by night in an environment Zedlacher describes as “rock ‘n’ roll.” As demand grew, they moved to the Maury Young Arts Centre and are
grateful for the opportunity to travel from coast to coast with three of his best friends, spreading laughter wherever they go. “I think the key to writing a brand-new chunk of comedy is living an interesting life, being aware of the world around you,” opines Zedlacher. “Paul tours all over Europe, I tour all over North America. It’s one of the tools that we have as a stand-up comedian: being an outsider and looking
out in the world … and also having that Canadian perspective.” Every April, Snowed In’s members part ways. Quinn and Sigurdson call Vancouver home, Myrehaug heads to his abode in southern France and Zedlacher lives in Alberta. For months they seek out other experiences, using them in part as inspiration for next year’s tour. Every winter they reconvene, taste-testing each other’s new content. “This year’s show is excellent. Everyone’s stepped to the plate … and it’s been lots of fun,” Zedlacher promises. “I wanted to tour and play beautiful theatres, and I never knew that the universe was inspired to make [that goal] even better. Instead of playing at these theatres once every couple of years, I get to do it every year with my friends so that alone is a crazy accomplishment. We are the envy of every Canadian comedian in the country.” Snowed In’s talents aren’t yet sure if they’ll make another season of their YouTube series, but are looking forward to at least one year without a camera crew following them around. Zedlacher, Quinn, Myrehaug and Sigurdson will grace the Maury Young on Jan. 22 at 7 p.m. Visit showpass.com/snowedin for tickets and additional details. n
ARTS SCENE
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STROMBO SHOW Whistler Film Festival ambassador George Stroumboulopoulos speaks at the 25th instalment of the festival in Whistler last month. PHOTO COURTESY OF THE WHISTLER FILM FESTIVAL
‘I want all sides represented’: A Q&A with George Stroumboulopoulos THE WHISTLER FILM FESTIVAL AMBASSADOR TALKS FILM, MEDIA, AND RECONCILIATION
BY CAROLINE EGAN
That’s a big part of your identity. Have you been able to immerse yourself in the community here?
GEORGE STROUMBOULOPOULOS needs little introduction. Over a career spanning music, film, politics and pop culture, the longtime broadcaster has built a reputation as one of Canada’s most thoughtful interviews—curious, generous and deeply tuned in to the stories behind the headlines. Whether hosting The Hour, fronting CBC Radio, or sitting down with artists and activists alike, Strombo, as he’s sometimes called, has made a career out of asking better questions. This year, he brought that same sensibility to the Whistler Film Festival as an ambassador, lending his voice and presence to a celebration of storytelling in all its forms. During his time in the resort last month, Stroumboulopoulos sat down with Pique for a candid conversation on all things WFF. The interview has been edited for length and clarity.
Over the years, for sure. Yeah, my best friend growing up is the fire chief here. So yeah, definitely, I’ve spent a lot of time in this town, in the summer as well, for music events. [And] I was here in the past, doing Olympic events. So yeah, definitely spent a lot of time in this place. During the [Whistler Film Festival] you’re kind of on the wheel for all the things that are happening during the festival, so you don’t get as much time. But one of the things I like about this festival is a lot of the events are in the places that are this community, either the bars or the rooms or the hotels.
Pique: You’re here as the ambassador this year, for the Whistler Film Festival’s 25th year. What does that mean to you? George Stroumboulopoulos: I feel like its ambassador only in title, because I have been a big fan of this festival and coming for 20 years to it. So I think it’s good. I have a strong streak in me that believes in supporting independent Canadian voices and the such, and [this is] the place for people who make screen content to be seen and meet other people. So I love that about it. I know you’ve got more of a background for being an explorer.
How would you describe the community that exists in Whistler? I know it’s historically been a haven for a lot of black-sheep-type outcasts, those who feel like they don’t really fit in anywhere. And this offers a place for people to sort of discover who they are, and give a sense of play, like a childlike wonder—wondering if you’ve been able to see that side or what your take is. Well, the guys that I know who live here, it’s definitely their identity. Yeah, there is an outsider vibe to it for sure, not just in Whistler, but in the area around it. For sure all my friends who are here are those people that you’re describing. They’re from other places, and they gather here. Definitely. I think any city is different. A town like this is really interesting because you’re dealing with one of the most beautiful places on the
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planet, a place that is either visited by or staffed by people who aren’t from here, which is amazing. So you have a real mix of what a city could offer … I know it’s not an inexpensive town to be in, but people still find a way to make this region work. And I think that’s kind of lovely. And what would you say is one of your favourite parts about Whistler—have you been able to venture out more into the mountains? Have you been able to ride your bike up and down?
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I have yeah, it’s just so beautiful. I mean, to have access to one of the most beautiful places on the planet, it’s pretty incredible. So that, in and of itself, the natural world here, is what it’s all about. To drive up, the moment you leave the city and you start to make your way up here, it reveals itself to you. I’ve done it on motorcycles, definitely done it in cars and trucks before, but motorcycle is my favourite way to get up here. Leading more back to the film festival, what story you most excited to hear this year? Red Power Rising. [Director] Shane Belcourt captured a version of this country that a lot of people don’t want to acknowledge but need to, and he did it with images. And I think when you see it, you get a real sense of that spirit that we talk a lot about. This country has this really weird relationship, an imperfect relationship, with the ideas behind truth and reconciliation … I haven’t seen the film yet. I’ve only seen clips. I’m very excited to see that absolutely. And even the relationship here, as I understand it, it’s pretty unique in terms of how we’ve been able to approach truth and reconciliation. I know I grew up outside of Toronto myself, and I learned nothing. I grew up in a Catholic school. And then I moved out here, and it’s a much more open conversation. Well, we both went to Catholic schools. We know why they didn’t want to talk about it, because of the role they played in it, for sure. And look, I’m a big believer that a country, an anthem and a flag and all that stuff is, it’s a promise. It’s not a thing to have pride in. It’s a thing to invest in, and it’s a promise that we hope to achieve. And so I’m committed to and have been my whole life: Do what you got to do to make it better, do what you got to do to make it more equitable. And for me, the language I speak and understand is music and film. And so I want filmmakers to do that. But also in this film, the clips that he has, the archival footage, the interviews with the members of the American Indian Movement in connection to the Indigenous peoples in Canada … just the clips that we haven’t seen before carry a lot of power … We live in this clip-culture era now on social media. I hope that some of the clips from this film circulate, because it’s really,
really interesting to see it. You’ve seen the media landscape change a lot over the years—what do you hope media will look like as time goes on? It’s a good question, but I’m not exactly sure, because I’ve never trusted it anyway. As a kid, even when I was in it, I didn’t trust it … I always felt like I was infiltrating the media, as opposed to a part of it. And I’ve worked for lots of places that, on a higherup level, I felt that responsibility, but I’ve worked for lots of places where they could care less about that responsibility. So I don’t know that it’s any better or worse. I think investigative journalism is important. I think that’s the only kind of reportage that’s important. Everything else is nice to have. But I hope that investigative journalism continues. I hope that investment in that continues. I think storytelling by Canadians, however they want to tell the story of the Canadian people, I think that’s important, because so much of this country’s identity has been based on either where we’re from, if our family is not from here, or what we’re not, relative to where we came from, or the United States. And I think that we should enter in there. When I was growing up, there were still some independent Canadian films that were pretty gnarly and truth-telling. I’d like to see more of that. I felt like the system in this country hasn’t churned out a lot of opportunities for those kinds of stories. I want to start seeing some buildingburning. I want to start seeing some stories that are a little bit more, you know, intense about who we are and what we can be … I want films to be made by people I am diametrically opposed to in terms of views, I don’t want my side represented. I want all sides represented. That’s how all sides carry power … I’m not really that interested in influencer culture. I’m not that interested in, you know, 20-second dance videos. That’s not for me. I don’t care about that. I don’t find that valuable for the way I want to experience this life, but I see people making some incredible films, those YouTube filmmakers who ended up making Talk To Me—that’s a gnarly film. That’s YouTube. So I’m looking for that kind of stuff to show up. And what a screen is and what a screen can offer is really up to whatever the filmmaker or the creator thinks that can be, and I think that’s exciting. So I want that from the media. But also, I don’t really think that much about traditional media companies anymore, because I don’t really value them. And so as those businesses change, the only part of my heart that breaks is I feel sad for people who lose work, of course, but the end of these gigantic companies owning all these channels and dictating a message, I don’t lament the end of that. I worked in media. I got into media before multiple ownership was allowed to happen. And that’s, I think, the greatest failure in this country, in the media history of this country, is when the government changed the rules to allow multiple ownership in a way they never used to have. n
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1 TIPS UP Sunshine and fresh powder made for some fine conditions at Whistler Blackcomb last week... before Mother Nature threw a fit and washed much of the new valley snow away. PHOTO COURTESY OF EMILIA RODRIGUES 2 FIELD RESEARCH The Whistler Field Hockey Club held its first indoor session this week. Find more info and get involved at whistlerfieldhockey.com. PHOTO COURTESY OF THE WHISTLER FIELD HOCKEY CLUB 3 + 4 FUN WITH FRIENDS Friends enjoy some snowshoeing fun in the fresh Whistler snow (while it lasted). PHOTOS COURTESY OF EMILIA RODRIGUES 5 LAUGH IT UP Laugh Out LIVE! serenades an audience member at their sold-out holiday show, The Chairlift Chronicles. Catch their next all-new production in Pemberton on Jan. 23 and 24 and in Whistler on Jan. 28 and Feb. 7. Tickets at laughoutlive.com. PHOTO BY JOERN ROHDE // COURTESY OF LAUGH OUT LIVE!
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MUSEUM MUSINGS & ASTROLOGY
The Dual-Mountain Duel: 7th Heaven and Peak Chair BY BRONWYN PREECE THIS WEEK marks the 60th anniversary of
Whistler Mountain’s opening. Blackcomb Mountain opened in 1980. Whistler’s runs were designed more to side-run the mountain, whereas Blackcomb’s followed more of the fall lines. Up until 1997, the two mountains operated separately. There was, however, a Dual Mountain Pass that could be purchased, granting access to both mountains. The pass was one of the only points of collaboration between the two competitors, whose rivalry was best showcased in their alpine lift duel. In 1985, Blackcomb installed the 7th Heaven T-Bar, making it, at the time, the continent’s first, and only, “Mile High Mountain.” A vast amount of new terrain was opened up by this development— expansive glacial access and four powder bowls—extending Blackcomb’s skiable area by almost two-thirds. The significant upgrade served to dispel its previous uniformity in design. Skiers could now travel down runs covering 1,160 acres (469 hectares), a substantial increase over the previous 420 (170 hectares). The alpine world had opened up. A young Mike Douglas (“godfather of freeskiing,” filmmaker and co-founder
of the Canadian chapter of Protect Our Winters) described the experience of arriving at the top of 7th Heaven as being “dropped off at the edge of the world.” Nancy Greene (Olympic gold medalist voted Canada’s Female Athlete of the 20th Century) declared “the enormous variety of slopes and spectacular views are unequalled in North America.” In the forefront of those views was Whistler Mountain. Whistler responded by countering a year later with the opening of the Peak Chair, a three-seater, one-kilometrelong lift depositing people just beneath the summit of the mountain at 2,182 metres. The bar was literally raised (in every sense of the word!), one-upping Blackcomb in the process. Peak Chair was initially restricted to just advanced skiers. Snowboarders, at this time, were still not welcome on the mountain. Challenging, cliffed, corniced and steep terrain characterized the area off the peak. Glaciated bowls and bouldered outcrops earmarked the summit’s geologic geography; whereas, its demography was being populated by seekers-of-skiing’s-extreme. Blackcomb was not to be outdone. Riding 7th Heaven, arguably, remains the pinnacle of the Blackcomb experience. The following year, in 1987,
CHOOSE YOUR SIDE Skiers atop Whistler peak, 1990. GRIFFITH COLLECTION.
7th Heaven Express opened, replacing the two-year existence of the T-bar. The new four-person chair, running along a longer and new lift line is the same one in operation today. Much like the Peak Chair, only skiers were permitted when both first opened.
Blackcomb was the first to welcome snowboarders in 1988-89. Whistler followed suit; however, in this case, the mountain was much more reluctant to follow the trend, only opening its slopes to shredders a full year later. In 1996, the two mountains joined forces, merging under the banner Whistler Blackcomb. Continuing the streak of earning international accolades, the united front earned the No. 1 spot in SKIING Magazine’s ranking of the Top 25 Resorts in North America. Two years later, Whistler further upgraded access to its alpine summit, with the unveiling of the four-seater Peak Express. This same high-speed, detachable chairlift remains in operation today. And every morning, the eager and the energetic mingle and gather at the bases of 7th Heaven and Peak Express, awaiting Ski Patrol to finish their avalanche clearance protocols, in a bid to carve fresh tracks through unparalleled terrain. The duel of the dual mountains—the rivalry of lifts and runs—may have ended on a financial and marketing level, but preferences ran—and still run—strong between slope-sliders and stylers as to which mountain they prefer… along with their preferred method of flying down their chosen hill! n
Free Will Astrology WEEK OF JANUARY 16 BY ROB BREZSNY ARIES (March 21-April 19): Japanese Zen master Hakuin (1686–1769) painted with astonishing vigour well into his eighties. When asked his secret, he said he treated each brushstroke as if it were his first. He approached the ink and paper with a beginner’s inspired innocence. I propose that you adopt a version of Hakuin’s practice. Dive into your familiar routines with virgin eyes. Allow your expertise to be influenced by surprise. As for the mastery you have earned, may I suggest you use it as a launching pad for enthusiastic amateurism? Being skilled is wonderful. Being skilled and willing to experiment like a newcomer? That’s the high art of perpetual combustion, an Aries specialty. TAURUS (April 20-May 20): In 1971, NASA’s Apollo 15 mission delivered a new asset to the moon: the Lunar Roving Vehicle. This battery-powered “moon buggy” enabled astronauts to explore farther from their landing site than ever before. They gathered a record haul of rock and soil samples and a deeper understanding of the lunar surface. I think you Bulls would be wise to get your own equivalent of that moon buggy. The apt metaphor here is enhancing your ability to extend your reach and explore beyond the familiar. In the coming weeks, I hope you will seek access to tools, allies, and freedoms that expand your range. Use them to push into new territory and scout around for intriguing valuables. GEMINI (May 21-June 20): Are you ready to unveil the halfhidden, half-beautiful truths you have been keeping tucked away? I think you are. You might shake, sweat, and secondguess yourself right up until the moment the pivotal moment arrives. But then, I predict, you will zone in on how best to carry out your sublime assignment. The perilous blessings or radiant burdens you’ve been hoarding like secret treasures will finally spill out of you in just the right ways. CANCER (June 21-July 22): A hermit crab finds a new shell not because the old one was bad, but because the creature grew. A similar urge stirs in you now: an instinct
to relocate your sensitivity and tenderness into roomier housing. You don’t have to abandon your favourite people or situations. Just ripen and update your containers so your emotional intelligence can flourish even more. Maybe revise your work rhythms. Dream up new bedtime stories. Be braver in declaring your needs. Your ongoing transformations could be a bit bumpy, but mostly healing and cherished. Give them the spaciousness they require. LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Poet Jack Gilbert wrote, “We must risk delight. We can do without pleasure but not delight.” Here’s what I think he meant: Pleasure is easy to access, available in many transactions. But delight requires courage. We must be undefended enough to be astonished and elated. Here’s the potential glitch for you Leos: You sometimes feel inclined to perform your joy; you make your happiness into entertainment for others to be inspired by. But true delight is riskier and more real. It comes when you forget to curate yourself because you’re too enchanted to remember you’re being watched. Your next assignment: Conjure up three moments of private delight that no one but you will see. VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Many of you are renowned for your precision, but that’s just half the story. The more complete truth is that when you are most robust, you’re a connoisseur of refinement. Your careful edits can transmute muddles into medicines. Your subtle fixes may catalyze major corrections. Here’s my bold declaration: You are now at the height of your Virgo powers. I hope you wield them with utter flair and finesse. Make everything you touch better than it was before you touched it. LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): Some astrologers work without ever glancing at the night sky. Their bond with the planets lives mostly through abstract ideas. To balance that approach, Daniel Giamario developed a more hands-on approach to astrology. In his retreats, students trek into wild country, far from city lights, and spend the dark hours
watching the dance of the heavenly bodies. He teaches that cosmic energies can be sensed through our beautiful bodies as much as they can be understood by our fine minds. In the weeks ahead, I invite you to infuse all your explorations with that spirit. Learn through direct encounters, not just through concepts and recycled reports. SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): English is my first language. I love how its wild, hybrid, restless qualities enable me to express myself. I never grow weary of exploring its limits and discovering new ways to use it with flair and care. But I am also very grateful that my horoscopes are translated into Italian, French, Japanese, and Spanish. I am supremely blessed to have editors who turn my idiosyncratic prose into language that non-English speakers can enjoy. It’s one of the great gifts that life has given me. In the coming months, Scorpio, I will be wishing and expecting a similar bonus for you: help and support in expanding your ability to reach further in your self-expression. SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Your intrepid spirit is most likely to find exciting adventures if it’s exquisitely prepared. While I love your daring spontaneity and experimental expansiveness, I hope that in the coming weeks, you will work hard to support them with good planning and rigorous foresight. Be imaginative and disciplined, wild and calculating, irrepressible and solidly responsible. If you heed my advice, you could break your previous records for making marvellous discoveries in the frontiers. PS: Treat wonder like a muscle. Flex it daily—with gratitude. CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Sandcastles are good reminders of how temporary everything is. We build them on the damp edge of the shore after the tide recedes, and then they crumble when the sea rolls back a few hours later. Let’s make the sandcastle your power symbol for the months ahead. In doing so, I don’t mean to imply that your certainties will be demolished. Rather, it’s my way of urging
you to enjoy and capitalize on the ever-changing nature of all things. In fact, I believe that knack should be one of your specialties in the coming months. As the Buddhist monk Thich Nhat Hanh told us, we should be grateful for impermanence, because it keeps every possibility alive. AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): During the Second World War, the United States faced a natural rubber shortage and funded research into synthetic substitutes. The effort was partly successful, but there were also failed experiments. Among these was a substance that later became a popular toy named Silly Putty. It sold millions of units and made its marketer wealthy. I suspect a metaphorically similar breakthrough is looming for you, Aquarius: an unplanned discovery that holds unforeseen value. You may soon have your own “Silly Putty moment”—an invention, idea, or situation that is technically a detour from your original goal but still delivers a gift. So keep your curiosity loose and your judgment soft. Don’t dismiss the byproducts of your efforts. Some diversions may reveal themselves to be the magic you didn’t realize you needed. PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): I suggest you try an “as-if” exercise, Pisces. Here’s what I propose: Enjoy a five-day period visualizing what your life would be like if you stopped saving yourself for a mythical future—including both the positive and negative aspects. Instead, envision yourself spending the coming months doing exactly what you yearn to do most, gleefully and intensely pursuing your sweetest dreams and prime mission. During this sabbatical, you will refrain from invoking excuses about why you can’t follow your bliss. You will assume that you are attuned with the heart of creation. You will act as if you are a joy specialist who adores your life. Homework: What’s an underdeveloped side of you that would be fun to develop? 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 16, 2026
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JOB OPPORTUNITIES IN THE SSHS HEALTH PROGRAM
Southern Stl'atl'imx Health Society
Program overview: The Health program team works together to provide care to community members of three remote First Nation communities by being responsible for full scope nursing care to a variety of clients, constantly promoting health and wellness education, and aligning care out of community in some cases, providing care to home care clients with chronic diseases Open Positions: 1. Clinical Services Manager ($90 000 - $120 000) 2. Home and Community Care Nurse ($90 000 - $110 000) 3. Community Health Nurse ($90 000 - $110 000) Each position requires a minimum of the following Qualifications: • Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing from a recognized university • 5+ years nursing experience including: O Public health (maternal, infant, child, youth, mental wellness, addictions) O Home care (elder health, chronic disease management, injury prevention) • Current CPR (HCP) certification • Current practicing registration as a Registered Nurse with the BC College of Nurses and Midwives (BCCNM) further qualifications may be required based on the position Special: • These positions require traveling to indigenous communities served by SSHS, accessed by Forest Service Road • SSHS offers a competitive benefits and employment package to full time employees About SSHS: SSHS is a non-profit Indigenous health organization dedicated to improving the health and well-being of Indigenous communities. Our organization provides culturally appropriate health care services, programs, and initiatives to support the holistic health of Indigenous individuals and families. See full job postings: sshs.ca/careers/
Applications and questions can be directed to: julia.schneider@sshs.ca
WE’RE HIRING
Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) Lead Whistler’s municipal operations in one of North America’s most extraordinary resort communities and help shape its future. Reporting to Council, you’ll oversee strategic planning, fiscal management, and a high-performing team. You’ll drive innovation and support sustainable growth while enhancing experiences for residents and visitors. Ideal candidates bring senior leadership experience in government or related sectors, service focused with a strong financial acumen, and a passion for community and tourism. Request a detailed CAO position profile: hr@whistler.ca (confidential).
Apply today and help guide Whistler’s next chapter! www.whistler.ca/careers
JANUARY 16, 2026
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Rentals:
Front Desk Staff $22/hour F/T or P/T hours available **no staff accommodation available** Front Desk duties include providing resort information & directions, providing information about the lodge.
BUILDING OUR COMMUNITY
Additional lodge duties include pre arrival & post departure check of vacation rental units: this includes changing light bulbs, troubleshooting WIFI or cable tv within units, unloading the occasional dishwasher or wiping down a countertop if needed.
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We are looking for someone who has attention to detail, is able to work independently, can communicate clearly & problem-solve, willing to use a computer and can self lead completing daily tasks.
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HEAVY EQUIPMENT OPERATOR – Minimum 5 years or 5,000 hours operating experience on excavator. Crushing Experience preferred. Full-time, Monday – Friday. $33-$46 per hour. CONSTRUCTION LABOURER – Great opportunity to learn on-the-job. Stamina for physically demanding work and perseverance to brave inclement weather required. Previous experience preferred but not required. Training provided. $28-$33 per hour.
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PIPE LAYER – Minimum 5 years experience in civil construction. Full-time, Monday – Friday. $33-$43 per hour. TRUCK DRIVER – BCDL Class 1 or Class 3 with air brakes required. Manual transmission. 2 years experience preferred. $35-$41.50 per hour. CRUSHING & EARTHWORKS MANAGER – Must have experience with civil construction. $33-$46 per hour. APPRENTICE MECHANIC – Gain hands-on experience working with heavy equipment and fleet vehicles in a fast-paced environment. We offer a clear pathway to Red Seal certification. Entry-level: $27.03 per hour.
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34 JANUARY 16, 2026
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8 3 8 9 7 3 5 2 1 3 6 8 7 9 9 6 8 5 1 3 ÚlÍus Community Centre 3 9 2 Come 4 build and grow 9 7 3 5 • Title & Rights Coordinator ($38,038.00 to 6 with the best team. 7 9 $53,599.00 per year) team of people is what sets us apart from other builders. As we continue to grow as the 6 8 3Our 9 4 2 1 8 leader in luxury projects in Whistler, our team needs to expand with us. Lil’wat Health & Healing + Pqusnalhcw Health We are currently hiring: 1 2 5 6 8 9 4 3 1 Labourers ($20 - $30 hourly) Centre Carpenters Helpers/Apprentices 1 to 4 year ($25 - $35 hourly) 8 4 9 Experienced 3 4 5 8 Carpenters ($30 - $45 hourly) • Program Coordinator ($46,683.00 to $63,973.00 Carpentry Foremen ($40 - $50 hourly) 7 5 4 2 5 Site Supervisor per year) st
Rates vary based on experience and qualifications. Red Seal is a bonus but not required. Crane # 57 EASY # 58 Operator experience considered an asset. EVR is committed to the long-term retention and skills development of our team. We are passionate about investing in our team’s future.
EASY
• Community Health Nurse ($41.42 to 52.81 per hour) + $2.15 hourly premium)
WE OFFER: • Top Wages and a Positive Work Environment • Flexible Schedule - Work Life Balance (We get it, we love to ski and bike too.) • Training & Tuition Reimbursement (Need help getting your Red Seal?) • Support with work visa and Permanent Residency (We can assist)
Community Program • Early Childhood Educator - Infant Toddler
1 6
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8 BENEFITS &9PERKS: 3 7 3 Leisure & Tool Benefit – Use toward ski/bike pass, tool purchase, etc. – you choose! 7 5 6 •• Annual 2for you and your family3 9 Extended Health and Dental Benefits We promote5from within and are looking 1 to strengthen amazing team. for 3our 8 2 Opportunities 6 7 advancement into management positions always exist for the right candidates. Don’t miss out on being able 6to build 9 with the team that builds the most9 significant 3 projects 6 in1Whistler. Send your resume to careers@evrfinehomes.com. We look forward to hearing from you! 2 4 5 7 8 5 2 9 7 5 7 9 1 2 8 4 5 Coordinator, Accounts Senior Accountant – Manager, Safety and 2 4 9 8 7 6 We’re Hiring! Receivable – Maternity Compliance Maternity LeaveLeave 1 Looking2to adopt? 4 2provides accounts receivable invoicing8and This position This position provide leadership andreceivable compliance in the This position iswill responsible for accounts invoicing collections, monthly balance sheet and bank reconciliations, prevention of incident injury and illnesses across all operations and collections, monthly balance sheet and bank reconciliations, For an updated list of who Whistler Athletes’ Centre Coordinator, Accounts Senior Accountant – Manager, Safety and overseeing dailyfor revenue audit and analytical reporting and Venues the Whistler Olympic Legacy venues for is available, check out our Coordinator, Accounts Senior Accountant – Manager, Safety and Whistler Sport Legacies in the Finance Department We’re Hiring! website. Receivable –Olympic Maternity Leave Compliance Maternity Leave Whistler Park OurWe’re ideal candidate: Hiring! Receivable –experience Maternity Leave Compliance www.whistlerwag.com Our candidate: Leave Ourideal idealMaternity candidate has in:
($24.00 - $29.45/hr based on experience + this position is eligible for wage top up)
8 5 1
Please visit our career page for more information: https://lilwat.ca/careers/
COORDINATOR, DESTINATION EXPERIENCE Full Time, Year Round
7 4 5 6 3
Love variety in your work? Thrive on building relationships and bringing ideas to life? Tourism Whistler is looking for someone who’s organised, EASY community-minded, and passionate about creating great experiences in the place they call home.
# 59
Tourism Whistler’s Destination Experience team works to enhance the Whistler experience and support the long-term success and sustainability of our resort community. The Coordinator, Destination Experience, plays a hands-on role in supporting events and experiences that shape how people experience Whistler — from festivals and events to seasonal celebrations and visitor programs. This is a dynamic, detail-driven role that suits someone who enjoys coordinating moving pieces, working with different teams, and being a reliable go-to for partners and stakeholders.
# 57 4 5 What we offer: • Nine-day fortnight schedule 6 7 • Hybrid work environment 8 3 • Excellent benefits package • A supportive, collaborative team culture 7 1 • Starting salary range: $50,000–$54,000 annually, 9 4 plus incentive bonus
2 6
TO VIEW OUR CAREER OPPORTUNITIES, 1 2 AND TO APPLY, VISIT US ONLINE AT: 5 8 WHISTLER.COM/CAREERS.
3 9
EASY
# 60
• Canadian Registered Safety Professional (CRSP) certification This position provides accounts receivable invoicing This position will provide leadership and compliance inand the is responsible for accounts receivable invoicing ••This 3+ years practical general accounting OFA III, (or equivalent) CPR / First Aid Certification 3+position years general accounting or accounts receivable collections, monthly balance sheet and bank reconciliations, prevention of incident injury and illnesses across all operations and collections, monthly balance sheet and bank reconciliations, This position provides accounts receivable invoicing and This position will provide leadership and compliance in the positionreceivable isofresponsible forframework accounts receivable invoicing Knowledge BC regulatory of health, safety and •••This Accounts invoicing and collections Accounts Receivable invoicing and collections overseeing daily revenue audit and analytical reporting for and Venues for the Whistler Olympic Legacy collections, balance sheet and bank reconciliations, prevention ofmonthly incident injury and illnesses across allvenues operations and collections, monthly balance sheet and bank reconciliations, environment Whistler Sport Legacies in the Finance Department •• overseeing Month end reconciliations including all bank and balance Month enddaily reconciliations revenue audit including and analytical allLegacy bankreporting and balance for and Venues for theinnovative, Whistler Olympic venues • sheet Leadership: creative, demonstrates initiative and accounts Ourleads ideal candidate: Whistler Sport Legacies in the Finance Department sheet accounts change ideal candidate: Our ideal candidate has experience in: •Our Financial analysis and POS reporting Canadian Registered Safety Professional (CRSP) certification ideal candidate: •••Our Financial analysis and POSsystem system reporting Organizational management, partnership and community Affordable staff housing options Our ideal candidate: 3+ years practical general accounting # 59 •• # 60 ideal candidate has experience in: III, (or equivalent) CPR / First Aid Certification Canadian Registered Safety Professional (CRSP) 5 1OFA 6 5 4 8 2 7 9 3 5 receivable 7 8certification 6 1 9 2 3 4 •Our 3+ years general accounting or accounts development skills What we offer: 3+ years practical general accounting • Accounts of BC regulatory framework of health, safety 6 9Knowledge 2 3 7 5 6 1 4 8 2 4 6 3 and 5 8 1 9 OFA III, (or equivalent) CPR / First Aid Certification •What receivable invoicing and collections • 3+ years general accounting or accounts receivable we offer: Accounts Receivable invoicing and collections 7hours ••What Competitive wages & guaranteed offer: Brand affordable staff accommodation 3 4environment 8 we 7new 1receivable 9of BC 3 6regulatory 5 2 including 1health, 9and 3 safety 8 4 and 2 6 5 7 Knowledge framework of Accounts invoicing and collections ••• Month end reconciliations all bank balance Accounts Brand new affordable invoicing staffincluding accommodation and collections Month endReceivable reconciliations all bank and balance Brand new staff creative, demonstrates environment 2 5Leadership: 1 accounts 8$56,000-$65,000/year 3 7affordable 4part 2 6innovative, 9 accommodation 7roles 8 initiative 9 3 5 and 6 1 4 2 depending on experience sheet ••••• Salary: Full time / time / casual sheet accounts Month end reconciliations including all bank and balance Month Competitive end reconciliations $56,000/year start including wageallplus bank benefits and balance leads change education 9 3 9 2 8 6 5 4 1 7 3 6 5 4 2 1 7 9 8 • and Competitive $70,000/year start wage plus benefits Leadership: creative, innovative, demonstrates initiative and sheet accounts •• Financial analysis and POS system reporting sheet accounts Financial system reporting • 7Organizational partnership and leads 7 4 6change 9 analysis 2 1management, 3 and 8 POS 5 4 1community 2 9 8 7 5 6 3 ••• Affordable staff housing options Financial reporting Financial analysis and POS system reporting 1 5 4 6analysis 3 skills 8 9and 7 POS 1 system 9 3community 1 2 6 8 4 7 5 • 2development Organizational partnership and What weAPPLY offer: management, • Affordable staff housing options NOW! What we offer: 8 8development 7 1 2 4 skills 9 5wages 3 6 8 5 4 1hours 7 3 9 2 6 ••What Competitive & guaranteed we offer: What we offer: Brand new affordable staff accommodation whistlersportlegacies.com/careers 4 6Brand 3we 9 offer: 5 1affordable 7 8wages 2 staff 4 accommodation 6 2 7 5hours 9 4 3 8 1 • Competitive new ••What & guaranteed we offer: • Salary: Brand new affordable staffaccommodation accommodation Brand new affordable staff $56,000-$65,000/year depending on experience ••What Full time / part time / casual roles Brand new affordable staffstart accommodation Competitive $56,000/year wage plus benefits education Brand new affordable staffstart accommodation • and Competitive wage plus Salary: $56,000-$65,000/year depending onbenefits experience Full time /$70,000/year part time / casual Page 15 of••25 4/11/2005 16, 2026 35 • and Competitive $56,000/year start wageJANUARY plusroles benefits education $70,000/year start wage • Competitive plus benefits
Manager, Accounting Whistler Sliding Centre Whistler Athletes’ Centre Manager, WhistlerHuman Athletes’Resources Centre
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Whistler • Affordable staffSliding housingCentre options Whistler Sliding Centre • Competitive wages & guaranteed hours we Full offer: •What Regular Time What we offer:
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PUZZLES ACROSS 1 6 10 15 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 31 33 35 36 37 39 41 44 45 48 53 54 55 57 58 59 60 61 63 64 65 66 68 70 71 72
“Viva Las --” Plant part Up in the air Exhausted On a ship’s left Had on Egyptian peninsula Stiff straw hat Meaning About (2 wds.) Bias Bring to light Golf peg “Rule, Britannia!” composer Ratite bird “The -- of the Magi” Poker stake Self-satisfied Drawing “There ought to be a --!” Hurry Source of linseed oil Ohio’s lake “Stop!” at sea Yellow earth pigment Brute Homecoming event Cousin to a croc Vessel Tart Car for hire Imitation Stem joint Sawbuck Incite to action Horse in a race Loan out “Be that as it -- ...” Intend Bumped into
74 76 79 81 83 87 88 89 91 92 94 96 97 98 100 102 104 107 109 110 111 114 116 118 119 120 121 123 125 126 127 128 129 130 131 133 136 137 141 144 145
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146 149 151 153 155 157 158 159 160 161 162 163 164
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40 41 42 43 44 46 47 49 50 51 52 54 55 56 59 60 62 65 66 67 69 71 72 73 75 76 77 78 80 82 84 85 86 90 93 95 96 99 101 103 104
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105 106 108 110 111 112 113 115 117 119 120 122 124 125 126 129 130 132
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134 135 136 137 138 139 140 142 143 145 146 147 148 150 152 154 156
Sweet topping Actress -- Zellweger Pastoral poem Incandescent lamp Humdinger Genus of olives Burg Flat-bottomed boat Except Seed cover Particle Cheese type Remove printed matter Furry friend Offer “House of Usher” writer “Go, team!”
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: EASY
4 8
7
6 1 2 8 EASY
8 3 3 5 2 7 9 3 9 2 4 6 8 3 9 5 4 9 3 7 5 4 # 57
1 9 6 9 7 4 6 8 4
8 8 7 2 9 2
3
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EASY # 58 Solution, tips and computer program at www.sudoku.com
ANSWERS ON PAGE 35
36 JANUARY 16, 2026
5
6 1 3 5 9 8 3 1 8
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Dear America: WHERE TO BEGIN?
I thought of starting this letter with the friendlier, “Dear Neighbour,” but in good conscience could not. Because, sadly, you are no longer a friend. Let me explain. The way I spelled “neighbour” is not a mistake. In fact, we spell many words
BY LESLIE ANTHONY differently here. Our nations share a common language, but our version, like yours, has evolved to reflect the quirks and histories of its use. Also, as in your country, we not only have national and regional lexicons, but evolving dialects. It’s diversity, something we’re proud of. Yet, our words and pronunciations have always been something you laughed at, as if such things didn’t exist for you. And for a long time, we didn’t mind you poking fun at our “oot and aboot.” Now, in hindsight, this appears to be the vanguard of a deep xenophobia. It has been a year since we last spoke as good neighbours who long shared mutual interests while maintaining respect for each other’s institutions and individuality. That seems like forever ago, as we’re no longer afforded the autonomy typically granted peaceful neighbours. Instead, you are in our yard, publicly ridiculing us, making threats, funding divisive politics in our country—provincial separation movements, christofascist sabre-rattling by opposition parliamentarians to “take back” our country from threats that don’t even exist. Worse, your president, repeating lies until they’re boilerplate truth to the gullible and ignorant, has made it clear we’re simply something to use,
WHERE TO BEGIN? With friends like these... AMIR SHAHRESTANI / PHOTOSHOP AI
38 JANUARY 16, 2026
to ultimately possess and leverage in some way in order to gain more global power. He would be happy to trade us like a stock. Or a hockey card. Except in a hockey-card swap you get something of equivalent value. All we’d get would be misery, domination, lawlessness and personal insecurity. Seeing this has created deep anger, frustration, anxiety and economic hardship for us. Our children are worried and can’t sleep. The children of our other neighbour, Greenland, require counselling with every bloviating announcement of takeover. It’s arrogance and cruelty. All of which negates friendship. We feel for the American people who are suffering, angry, frustrated, anxious and economically bullied in far worse ways than we, but for the time being, America, we’ve down-listed you to acquaintance status. An acquaintance whose rogue behaviour has proven that the worry of reprisals and malign actions is no longer theoretical. A lurking shadow in the mirror. A country governed by criminals who
to his new U.S. Attorneys how they were appointed not to serve him, but the American people, to act with independence and integrity. “That is what leadership sounds like. That is what respect for the law looks like. A president who understands that prosecutors do not shield him, do not carry out his grudges, do not bend the law around his ego. They serve the public. They serve the truth. They serve the Constitution before they serve any one person. Today that kind of leadership is a distant memory because the current president has no respect for the law.” Nor do his aiders and abetters. Like Stephen Miller, penning scripts of bigotry and nativism to dehumanize immigrants. When your president describes SomaliAmericans as “garbage,” it’s Miller we hear. Like Joseph Goebbels, who perfected the “art” of political lying and public manipulation for the Third Reich, Miller is an architect of propaganda. We see this and think, where to begin? You speak constantly of “upholding the law,” and yet it’s the law itself your leaders skirt, manipulate and plain
With every broken international law, you also violate fundamental universal human rights. But none as badly as what you’ve done at home. run it like mobsters. Disappearances. Protection money. Shakedowns for territory. Taking what they want by making offers (threats) that can’t be refused. Yes, where to begin? So many starting points and yet, like many commentators, I’m frozen each day by whatever new fresh hell you have imposed on the world—or on your own people. So maybe this isn’t my letter to write, but that of your own, who shout from the rooftops but are no longer heard. “Trump is coming for all of us,” wrote Heather Delaney Reese, before describing President Obama explaining
ignore. If law was, in fact, upheld, odious criminals wouldn’t be pardoned, the Epstein files would have been released as legally required, and your president would have long ago been jailed for his many criminal transgressions. What do your children think of such role models? Last weekend, you killed almost 80 people in an illegal attack on Venezuela, abducting its president Nicolás Maduro and his wife. A bad guy, to be sure, but no demonstrable security threat to you. Meanwhile, invoking the vague notion of “enemy combatants” as performative pretext, you’d already killed more than
100 sailors on small vessels off the coast of Venezuela on suspicion of smuggling drugs, evidence for which has never been provided to Congress. The world sees this as nonsense, and sure enough, your post-hoc justification has shifted to “regaining control” over oil reserves that Venezuela had nationalized—as any sovereign nation has the right to do. By what right do you plunder a neighbour’s garden? With every broken international law, you also violate fundamental universal human rights. But none as badly as what you’ve done at home. And maybe that’s where to start—at the end. On Wednesday, Jan. 7, during a Gestapo-style, door-to-door ICE operation in Minneapolis, agent Jonathon Ross shot 37-year-old mother Renee Good three times in the face, killing her as she tried to move her car out of their way. Despite the subsequent lies of the president, vice president JD Vance, and Department of Homeland Security cosplay queen Kristi Noem, videos make it clear the shooting was not in self-defense, and likely motivated by anger, as the agent is heard verbally denigrating the woman as he murders her in cold blood before simply walking away with no consequence. Minnesota Governor Tim Walz had warned for weeks that Trump’s sensationalized and clearly punitive anti-blue-state operations—naught but a show of power—were a threat to public safety. And so, another fatality added to more than 30 who’ve died at the hands of ICE this year, either in custody or brazenly killed in your streets. Where to begin, America? We saw what happened on Jan. 6, 2021. We saw what happened on Jan. 7, 2026. We saw what we saw. Power corrupts. Absolute power corrupts absolutely. And we take these truths to be selfevident. You’re no friend of truth. And you’re no friend to us. n
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