JULY 17, 2026 ISSUE 33.29
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NORTHERN EXPOSURE Northlands moves ahead while council seeks concessions
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IN THE LOOP Whistler council considering taxi loop cameras
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THIS WEEK IN PIQUE
20 24 28
Meet your match Profiling some of the Whistler Animals Galore residents currently looking for a forever home. - By Pique staff
06 OPENING REMARKS Newspapers are uniquely positioned to connect people with
10 NORTHERN EXPOSURE A development proposal for 4500 Northlands Boulevard
causes they can actually do something about, writes editor Braden Dupuis.
is moving ahead, though mayor and council made it clear the application needs more work.
08 LETTERS TO THE EDITOR This week’s letter-writers bemoan the loss of what
12 IN THE LOOP Whistler council is considering including taxi loop cameras in its 2027
makes Whistler so special, and share gratitude for recent community events.
budget deliberations after recent allegations involving cab drivers.
18 THE OUTSIDER Vince Shuley shares the upgrades that made his off-road camping
24 BREAK POINT Squamish’s Ella MacPhee enters the World Cup midseason break with
setup ready to roll in comfort.
XCO silver in Pal Arinsal.
38 PIQUE’N YER INTEREST You don’t need a doctor’s note to slow down a little
28 RARE AIR Arts Whistler’s Plein Air Painting Adventure returns to the “spectacular
every once in a while, writes Katherine Fawcett.
setting” of Whistler Mountain this summer.
COVER Please don’t hate me just because I have a designer dog and can’t afford my vet bills. - By Jon Parris // @jon.parris.art
Publisher SARAH STROTHER - sstrother@piquenewsmagazine.com Editor BRADEN DUPUIS - bdupuis@piquenewsmagazine.com Sales Manager KAIJA KNOX - kknox@lodestarmedia.ca
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Contributors G.D. MAXWELL, VINCE SHULEY, LESLIE ANTHONY,
Art Director JON PARRIS - jparris@piquenewsmagazine.com
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OPENING REMARKS
Dog days EVERY NEWSPAPER has its perennial stories. In Whistler, we know them almost by heart. The snowpack. The bears. The housing crisis. Wildfire preparedness. Trail etiquette. Parking. Budgets. Every summer and every winter, the same conversations return—sometimes with new faces, but rarely with entirely new arguments.
BY BRADEN DUPUIS Work at a newspaper long enough, and the repetition, with all its mindnumbing patterns, can start to eat at you. After all, you can only referee the same debates between the same competing interests for so long before the schtick just gets tired. And so sometimes it’s just nice to take a step back from the unrelenting seriousness of it all with something a little easier on the eyes. Which brings us to this week’s cover. Not for the first time, Pique is turning the pages over to Whistler’s most adoptable pets via a simple concept—give each animal a playful dating profile, a few glamour shots and a chance to charm its way into someone’s home (shoutout to the amazing team at Whistler Animals Galore for helping pull this together again). And while it’s a (much-deserved) chance to look at some cute dogs, it’s also a welcome reminder that not every worthwhile story needs dramatic conflict at its centre. Working in journalism, you begin to see the world through problems. That’s
the job, after all, and the phrase “if it bleeds, it leads” still rings true in 2026. People are naturally drawn to conflict, shock value and even just dramatic change. The council meeting where tempers flare, or the controversial development proposal. The salacious court case. The wildfire threatening homes. The investigation into allegations of misconduct. Those stories matter because they affect people’s lives, and they deserve scrutiny. But if that’s all a newspaper ever became, it would paint a profoundly distorted picture of the community it serves. That’s one of the reasons the media often gets a bad rap. News, almost by definition, focuses on conflict, change and what’s gone wrong. That’s important. But if that’s all we ever covered, we’d only be telling half the story.
community support. Which is another thing community newspapers are uniquely positioned to do: connect people with causes they can actually do something about. We can’t solve the housing crisis from these pages, reverse climate change or magically make groceries cheaper. But every now and then we can introduce a reader to a four-legged companion they didn’t know they were looking for. So yes, let’s let this week’s cover feature serve as a bit of a palate cleanser. A break from the council reports, police files and budget breakdowns that often fill these pages, and which will inevitably be waiting for us whenever we’re done with the dog days. But let it also serve as a reminder of what local journalism is supposed to do. Hold power to account, yes. Ask
In an age of doomscrolling, algorithmic outrage and an endless stream of crises competing for our attention, animals ask remarkably little of us.
Because communities aren’t defined solely by their disputes. They’re defined just as much by the things happening in between—the volunteers raising thousands of dollars at Hike for Health, the local athletes chasing Olympic dreams, the team at Arts Whistler filling the village with animation and colour, or the family that decides an anxious shelter dog deserves a second chance. There’s probably a reason pet stories have become such a reliable staple of newspapers, TV news broadcasts and Luxury 2-bedroom quarter-share just steps from the Creekside Gondola and amenities. Enjoy up to 13 weeks of owner use each year or generate rental income. Quiet location with morning sun and forest views. Features include granite countertops, Miele appliances, heated tile floors, and spa-inspired bathrooms. Evolution amenities include an outdoor pool, hot tubs, sauna, steam room, games room, and theatre. Strata fees include property taxes, Tourism Whistler fees, utilities, and insurance. Own in Whistler at a fraction of the cost.
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social media feeds alike. In an age of doomscrolling, algorithmic outrage and an endless stream of crises competing for our attention, animals ask remarkably little of us. They don’t care who you voted for, how much money you make or how you’re doing in the dating world (whew). They just want a walk, a meal, a warm place to sleep and someone who’ll scratch them behind the ears every now and then. It’s a refreshingly uncomplicated relationship in an increasingly complicated world. To be frank, those stories don’t usually produce the biggest online numbers, barely making a dent in comparison to hard news. They don’t drive community discourse or result in angry letters to the editor, and they don’t require legal review
or prolonged FOI requests. They’re easy to overlook because they’re rarely urgent. But that’s not to say they’re somehow less important than the heavier fare. Whistler Animals Galore has no shortage of veterinary bills to pay or animals needing homes. Every successful adoption means one more space for the next dog or cat that inevitably comes through the shelter’s doors. Behind every goofy profile and tongue-in-cheek bio is an organization doing difficult work, largely powered by volunteers and
uncomfortable questions, absolutely. But also reflect the community back to itself—not just in its moments of conflict, but in its moments of compassion, humour and hope. If one of the faces in this week’s feature happens to find a forever home because of it, that won’t just make for a successful cover story. It’ll be a pretty good week for everyone involved. Read more, make a donation, and find your own perfect match at whistlerwag.com. n
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LETTERS TO THE EDITOR That is what makes our Whistler so special. If we continually “old fart” this place, and Not in My Back Yard it, we are guaranteed to have a place that doesn’t look or feel like our Whistler. Our Whistler is evolving, with new laws that are protecting us. But don’t wreck our Whistler because you want it to be like your suburban or city dream. Our Whistler should be covered in mud from A River Runs Through It or caked in snow from a blast down Diamond Bowl. It might even have a bit of puke on it from an overindulgence. Embrace a bit of chaos and our Whistler will have the legs to keep being the magnet to our next generation. John McBean // Whistler
Our Whistler Not my Whistler, not your Whistler, not 1965’s Whistler and not 2026’s Whistler. This is OUR Whistler, a Jenga tower of outdoor adventures and mountain magic. Careful which block you decide isn’t cool anymore, folks. A recent letter to Pique bemoaned the stench of marijuana on the River of Golden Dreams, and on the ski hill. Have people forgotten why one of the best high-flying rippers on Whistler is called Tokum? As we get older (FYI… born in the mid-’60s, first season 1985) we smell the weed, and hear the parties, and think everyone skis too fast. This old-fart syndrome is going to kill our Whistler. Only old, wealthy and particularly finicky donkeys are going to live here. They will also get more and more of these donkeys to live here. You know who won’t live here? The awesome bootfitter, the incredible bartender, the caring ski instructor or teacher. We are going to suck all the cool and affordability out of this place. Revelstoke loves our pretentious attitude. Hard-charging mountain lovers are going there now. They are stealing our next superstars. Are we pushing them away?
‘Deepest gratitude’ from Pemberton PAC The Whistler magnet isn’t as powerful to a young person as it once was. Our present day Whistler has a lot of “don’t do this anymore” attached to it. Whistler freedom and freeriding needs to be understood. The fun crowd grows up, they become us. The essential waves of cool young people need places to live a mountain life with energy and excitement. That “I am frigging here” audacity and fearlessness built our Whistler. We ruled before Vail,
before champagne cannons, and before a dinner for two cost $250. It is so hard for the coolest kids to leave home and live here. It is expensive and expectations of perfection are at an all-time high. Obviously we don’t want high-speed mountain collisions, or reckless and dangerous behaviour, but many of us need to remember being 24. That immediate hook, that feeling of I can’t live without this place.
On behalf of the Signal Hill Elementary School Parent Advisory Council (PAC), we would like to publicly extend our deepest gratitude to the incredible community partners who recently helped bring much-needed shade and greenery to our school yard. Recently, we embarked on a project to plant new trees at the school, a vision that was made possible through a generous grant from the Whistler Blackcomb Foundation’s Envirofund.
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LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Because planting trees is only the first step, we are incredibly grateful to the local Pemberton Lions Club, who stepped up and donated the irrigation system to ensure these trees will thrive and keep growing for years to come. We also want to send a HUGE thank you to the team at Terracraft. They generously donated their time, equipment, and significant effort to get the trees properly planted in the ground. This project truly was a community effort, and we would like to recognize the generous local donors who contributed additional trees: Lucy, Ian, Samantha, and George Stirk for the addition of two trees, and Doug Bush Survey for the addition of one tree. We’d also like to acknowledge our own Signal Hill Elementary School PAC for donating a tree and coordinating this entire initiative, as well as the school administration and staff for their unwavering support in making this happen. In total, 19 beautiful new trees were planted and irrigated. As they grow, they will provide essential future shade and a greener, more vibrant outdoor space for all the children to enjoy during the
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school year. It takes a village, and we are so lucky to be part of this one. Thank you to everyone who pitched in! Maja McCloskey // on behalf of the Signal Hill Elementary PAC
Launch of Liam and Riva Fund ‘a resounding success’ We are incredibly grateful to everyone who made the launch event for the Liam and Riva Fund in Pemberton a resounding success. A special thank you goes to the amazing volunteers, the sold-out crowd of happy attendees and the many generous donors who contributed to this new legacy fund. We raised an astonishing $40,580, which will enable the Liam and Riva Fund to support organizations in the Pemberton Valley that promote health, creativity, and connection. Reflecting on the event, it feels like we’ve created new memories that will become part of Liam and Riva’s ongoing story. For that, we are truly grateful. Hillary Downing and Hugh Fisher // Pemberton n
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Write to us! Letters to the editor must contain the writer’s name, address and a daytime telephone number. Maximum length is 450 words. Pique Newsmagazine reserves the right to edit, condense or refrain from publishing any contribution. Letters reflect the opinion of the writer and not that of Pique Newsmagazine. Send them to edit@ piquenewsmagazine.com before 11 a.m. on Tuesday for consideration in that week’s paper.
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JULY 17, 2026
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NEWS WHISTLER
‘Whistler 3.0’: Council advances Northlands proposal, but demands more from Beedie COUNCIL LAUNCHES PARALLEL PLANNING FOR A MULTI-PURPOSE RECREATION FACILITY, BUT REJECTS AN EIGHT-STOREY CAP FOR BEEDIE’S PROPOSED TOWERS
BY LUKE FAULKS WHISTLER COUNCIL has agreed to
advance Beedie Living’s proposed redevelopment of 4500 Northlands Boulevard, while making clear the company’s application is not yet ready for a rezoning bylaw. After ample public turnout and some heated discussion, council voted on July 14 to continue negotiations over the 5.2-hectare property at the northern edge of Whistler Village—subject to Beedie and municipal staff resolving the value and timing of its community amenity contribution (CAC), an existing floodway covenant and the proposed use of municipal land at the end of Northlands Boulevard. “We’re millions of dollars apart on what the CAC is, and we want to move forward because we understand it’s an important site to the community,” Councillor Ralph Forsyth said. “It’s a massive thing.” The vote was not a rezoning approval. It allows the Resort Municipality of Whistler (RMOW) to engage in further negotiations and public and committee
VIEW FROM THE TOP A rendering of proposed building heights at the Northlands site as seen from the highway. RENDERING COURTESY OF BEEDIE LIVING
10 JULY 17, 2026
review, while launching a separate municipal recreation-planning process. A vote on a proposed eight-storey height cap on the development failed 3–4.
YEARS IN THE MAKING
The Northlands property, which includes the Whistler Racket Club, is one of the last largely undeveloped parcels within walking distance of the village. Beedie entered an enhanced,
In January, council directed Beedie to prioritize employee housing and a contribution toward a multi-use recreation facility, amid sustained calls for a replacement for the existing racket club. The racket club’s future has remained a central concern throughout the Northlands process. Residents raised the potential loss of Whistler’s only indoor tennis courts during consultation on Beedie’s early
“We’re millions of dollars apart on what the CAC is, and we want to move forward...” - RALPH FORSYTH
three-phase rezoning process with the municipality in 2021. Early work established guiding principles around housing, social connections, mobility, climate action and balancing community and resort needs. During Phase 2, Beedie presented concepts containing mid-rise residential buildings, townhouses, commercial space, a community hub, green space and an open-air stream. Public feedback emphasized housing, open space and indoor recreation, particularly tennis and pickleball.
concepts in 2022, while a subsequent municipal survey found 57 per cent of respondents wanted racket facilities included in the project. Those concerns have repeatedly resurfaced during a town hall, open houses, and council discussions, with residents advocating for continuity of play as the development proceeds.
A MORE RESIDENTIAL PROPOSAL
Beedie’s May application would replace the current hotel-focused zoning with a
predominantly residential neighbourhood containing 107 townhouses, 110 condominiums, 60 employee-housing units, commercial space and a healthand-wellness facility. The three- and four-bedroom townhouses would cover close to twothirds of the site. The condominiums would be housed in connected 10- and 12-storey buildings on the property’s western side. A four-storey employee-housing building would contain studios, onebedroom and two-bedroom rentals based on Whistler Housing Authority wait-list data. The proposal includes approximately 34,000 square feet of employee housing—more than twice the amount contemplated in Phase 2— although the unit count has fallen from an earlier proposal for 70. The plan also includes a restaurant, small commercial units, gym, training space, café and outdoor pool. The healthand-wellness facilities would be strata amenities open to the public on a payper-use basis. Beedie describes the development as “Whistler 3.0,” an extension of Whistler Village connected through a plaza, pedestrian route, green spaces and a new Valley Trail link. Coun. Jeff Murl questioned whether the proposal delivered on its Village 3.0 vision when much of the property would become a townhouse neighbourhood
NEWS WHISTLER rather than public space. “When 65 per cent of the site becomes inaccessible to the public, this is not a continuation of the village,” he said. Staff also flagged reduced public and green spaces, difficult grade changes, the size of the condominium buildings and the burial of the previously open-air amenity stream.
THE MULTI-MILLION DIVIDE
The largest unresolved issue is the community amenity contribution. Municipal consultants valued it at $57.8 million—75 per cent of the estimated land-value increase from rezoning—while Beedie is offering a package it values at $45 million. That package includes $15 million for off-site recreation, $12 million in unrestricted community funds, $15 million toward employee housing and a 13.5-acre Blackcomb Way property valued by Beedie at $3 million but appraised by the RMOW at about $976,000. Beedie argues its package would be delivered over seven to eight years and has a slightly higher net present value than a hypothetical $57.8-million package paid over a 12- to 15-year buildout.
“We don’t want less than what we’ve already got.” - JEN FORD
Staff rejected that comparison, arguing Beedie’s timeline is uncertain and that deferred CAC payments should be adjusted for inflation rather than discounted. They also recommended securing at least $58 million or recalculating the land lift using the revised application. Council also sought safeguards against the project stopping after its most profitable market phases. Much of the recreation funding would arrive in Phase 1, but the employee housing and a final $6-million payment are scheduled for Phase 5. Staff said legal agreements could tie those contributions to market development. The racket-club footprint would remain untouched through Phases 1 and 2. “This is an important concession, I think, in terms of the way they structured it, and that helps continuity of play,” Murl said. “I think that time will be critical as we go through the process.” The municipality cannot, however, require the privately operated club to remain open.
FORD PITCHES RECREATION PLANNING
Coun. Jen Ford pitched an amendment to have staff kick-start a separate but parallel investigation into a future recreation facility. The motion directs staff to begin
community planning around the users, location and form of a municipal multipurpose recreation facility. Council removed language promising “continuity of play” after Crompton warned it could not guarantee a replacement would open before the existing club closed. “We support the ongoing recreation needs of this community, and we don’t want to lose anything,” Ford said. “We don’t want less than what we’ve already got.”
WHERE INTEGRITY MEETS OPPORTUNITY
FORSYTH SEEKS EIGHTSTOREY CAP
Forsyth’s amendment sought to cap all buildings in the development at eight storeys, arguing Beedie’s proposed 10and 12-storey condominium buildings were out of scale with the village and surrounding neighbourhoods. “We’re developing a whole new neighbourhood, and we’re beginning with a part of it that is outside the size and scale of anything else of its kind in the village,” he said. Forsyth compared the proposal with the Hilton, one of the village’s largest buildings at eight storeys, and said even that structure appears substantially larger than its surroundings and casts significant shadows. Whistler’s taller hotels, he added, are generally nestled against the mountainside, where their scale and sightlines are less pronounced. By contrast, he said the Northlands towers would stand apart near the highway, rising above the trees and affecting views and shadows across the site. “You’re going to have to drive past that building for the rest of your lives, or as long as you live here, and be cast in the shadow of two ginormous buildings that are at least four storeys above the tree line,” Forsyth said. “This is where the road ends for me. I’m not interested in the size and scale of this building.” Crompton opposed setting a rigid height limit before staff, the public and the advisory design panel reviewed the full proposal. “I’m not suggesting that I think the height as proposed is where we should land,” Crompton said. “But I certainly don’t think making one very specific design constraint at this point, without considering the whole project, is appropriate.” The amendment failed 3–4, supported by Forsyth, Ford and Coun. Jessie Morden and opposed by Crompton and Couns. Arthur De Jong, Cathy Jewett and Murl. The vote did not signal acceptance of the towers. Jewett raised concerns about shadowing, public space and employee housing, while Ford said further review should determine whether the design looks and feels like Whistler. Council ultimately approved the staff recommendations as amended by Ford. Beedie and municipal staff must resolve the CAC, floodway and road-end issues before the application proceeds to further committee and public engagement and any rezoning bylaw returns to council. n
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NEWS WHISTLER
Whistler eyes security cameras for taxi loop amid safety concerns THE MEASURE COULD BE CONSIDERED THROUGH THE MUNICIPALITY’S 2027 BUDGET PROCESS
BY LUKE FAULKS THE RESORT MUNICIPALITY of Whistler
(RMOW) is considering adding security cameras to the Village taxi loop through its 2027 budget as the municipality looks for ways to respond to recent reports of sexual misconduct by cab drivers. Mayor Jack Crompton announced the move during his mayor’s report at council’s July 14 meeting. “Earlier today, council was having conversations about ongoing issues around the taxi industry in town and made a motion that staff assess the feasibility of installing public security cameras in the RMOW taxi loop,” he announced. “A report will return for council consideration, and if that report is compelling enough to council, they may consider including public security cameras in the taxi loop in the 2027-to2031 five-year financial plan.” Speaking with Pique after the meeting, Crompton noted that cameras at the loop could support better policing. He also acknowledged public surveillance raises legitimate concerns, but said he believes studying the option is an appropriate response to the recent allegations. The mayor explained that, while safety concerns around the taxi industry cross several jurisdictions, surveillance of the taxi loop falls squarely within the RMOW’s authority—giving council a concrete measure it can consider locally. The direction follows recent reporting on allegations involving taxi drivers.
IN THE LOOP Whistler is considering installing cameras in the Village’s taxi loop following recent allegations involving drivers. FILE PHOTO BY BRADEN DUPUIS
Whistler RCMP said in June it was actively reviewing and investigating three complaints of sexual misconduct involving local taxi drivers this year. The allegations have not been proven in court, and no charges have been announced. Whistler Taxi told Pique it takes the allegations seriously, and cooperates with the RCMP and other enforcement officials. The company said drivers undergo criminal-record and vulnerable-sector checks and are required to comply with provincial licensing rules. It also said it had introduced additional safety measures, including enhanced driver
monitoring and training. But the business has faced other complaints in recent years. In August 2025, a Whistler woman alleged her purse and $1,200 in cash disappeared after she left the bag in a Whistler Taxi vehicle. Police investigated that complaint but did not lay charges. Staff’s analysis of the camera proposal is expected to return as part of the broader 2027 budget process already underway. The RMOW launched its 2027 community budget survey on June 24, asking residents to identify their spending
priorities before the municipality develops a proposed budget for council’s consideration in December. The survey is open until Monday, July 20. Residents can complete the survey and learn more about how Whistler’s budget is developed through the “Your 2027 Budget Insights” page at engage.whistler.ca. The municipality is also planning additional public budget events for the fall, when residents will have further opportunities to comment on proposed spending—including, potentially, security cameras at the taxi loop. - with files from Braden Dupuis n
Whistler Blackcomb Foundation awards more than $500K to Sea to Sky non-profits THE WHISTLER Blackcomb Foundation
has awarded more than $500,000 in grants to non-profit organizations across the Sea to Sky corridor, with funding directed toward social services, healthcare, mental health, recreation and arts and cultural programming. The largest grant, $100,000, went to the Whistler Community Services Society to support outreach services and food security efforts. Per a release from the foundation, the programs are “frequently relied upon by working residents, families and children, and seniors on fixed incomes.” The Whistler Public Library received $51,910 to help transform “an underutilized prominent space into a vibrant, cultural focal point”—including an elevated display platform with bench seating and a dedicated showcase for the library’s Unusual Items Collection. PearlSpace Support Services Society received $30,000 to expand access to
12 JULY 17, 2026
counselling subsidies for single mothers, children, youth, families and fathers. The Pemberton and District Health Care Foundation received $25,000 toward the purchase of a new Point of Care Ultrasound device for the Health
covered skatepark facility at the Squamish Oceanfront, aimed at giving Sea to Sky residents a year-round place to skate, regardless of the season or weather. The Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre received $23,000 to continue
“Your support enables us to help local organizations drive meaningful, longterm change within our community.” - MEI MADDEN
Care Centre’s emergency department. The device is intended to help local health-care services meet the needs of Pemberton’s growing community. Another $25,000 went to the Squamish Skateboard Association to help pilot a
bi-weekly therapy support programming for its Cultural Ambassadors, while the Pemberton & District Museum & Archives Society received $20,500 to upgrade restroom facilities as the site sees growing year-round use.
Whistler Gymnastics received $20,400 for air conditioning and flooring upgrades, and Protect Our Winters received $20,000 to support its Whistler Supercharged Program in the Sea to Sky corridor. Other grants of up to $20,000 went to organizations including Axemen Rugby Club, Chill Foundation of Canada, École La Passerelle, École Les Aiglons, Indigenous Women Outdoors Society, Squamish Helping Hands Society, Pemberton Arts Council, Whistler Skating Club, Whistler Minor Hockey Association and the Whistler Writing Society. “We are deeply grateful to the individuals and businesses whose ongoing support fuels our fundraising efforts,” said WBF executive director Mei Madden. “Your support enables us to help local organizations drive meaningful, long-term change within our community.” - Luke Faulks n
On June 9th, 2026, at 11:20pm, surrounded by family, friends, singing, and prayer, Timothy (Tim) Mark Unruh passed away peacefully, finally home with his Saviour Jesus. He battled a rare and aggressive blood disorder, Amyloidosis, for a short time until his death under the care of a village of doctors, nurses, family, and friends at Vancouver General Hospital.
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Tim was well-loved, creative, and kind. He was sometimes stubborn, full of opinions, integrity, humour and intelligence. He was not perfect, but was perfect for his wife and best friend, Jeanette, who he leaves behind as well as his children, Luke, Rachel, Abby, and Ben; siblings Phil Unruh (Diane), Noni Goertzen (Phil), Christy Jennings (Evan), sister-in-law Shannon Kutcher (Paul); father-in-law David Barker and brothers and sisterin-law Stephen, Andrew and Charlene Barker, and many wonderful nieces, nephews and valued friends. He was predeceased by his brother Ramsy Unruh, parents Cornelius and Katharina Unruh, mother-in-law Irene Barker and sister-in-law Colleen Barker. Tim was born in Winnipeg, Manitoba, on February 20th, 1960 but grew up “at the big house at 437, 12th Street, Morden, Manitoba, the best town in the world in which a boy could grow up.” This was how he would begin every story he told his kids. He worked hard at school, was involved in Scouts, the Boys’ Brigade, and many sports, including hard won golf competitions with his dad and brothers. Tim chose to follow Jesus Christ at 14 years old. He led the Christian club at his high school and loved to chat about “life, the universe and everything.” His goal was to be a doctor like his father, but this changed after attending Bodenseehof Bible School in Germany. Tim switched from studying sciences at the University of Winnipeg to attending Columbia Bible College in South Carolina, where his work with troubled youth solidified the calling on his life as a pastor. He went from east to west for his Masters of Theology at Fresno Pacific Biblical Seminary in Fresno, California in 1985 before being invited to pastor the young adults group at Willingdon Church in Burnaby, BC. Tim thrived at Willingdon. He was a vibrant, humble, directive, fun, and inspiring leader to many young people finding their way. He hosted a weekly chapel, seasonal retreats, and many social events for the church, where he met his wife Jeanette in 1991. They were married on October 11,1997. After 10 years at Willingdon, Tim was invited to pastor Whistler Community Church, dedicating the next 18 years of his life to a growing, exciting, challenging and transient ministry there. Whistler became his home and mission field. He was open, worked to find the church a permanent home, steady in any adversity, and always “helping those who wander find home.” He was also willing to admit when he was wrong and learn from his mistakes. Finishing as pastor to the Whistler Community Church, Tim continued living faithfully in Whistler. For a few years, Tim and his family attended and served at Pemberton Community Church, leading worship together there. In 2020, he started a small house church in Whistler, always encouraging people back to the truth and love of Jesus. He was a silent servant to his community and engaged with the Whistler charm: always riding his bike, running, taking a dip in Alta Lake, or tackling the gruelling Wedgemount Lake hike. He skied with his kids, coached high school basketball for 4 years, would serve in unannounced, humble ways, and stopped often for chats on the Valley Trail. For 10 years, Tim worked course maintenance during the summer at Nicklaus North Golf Course, which he called “the most beautiful garden in Whistler.” He was dedicated, striving to make the course the best it could be — even the bunkers! All his life, Tim walked where God led, sacrificing where it didn’t make sense, all for God’s glory. He operated in forgiveness, humility, and a deep sense of patience and certainty witnessed by many. Tim was an easy person to respect, who left an impression after any interaction, often saying a line that stuck, even if you disagreed with him. Tim delighted in the world around him, with hope at his core. Most of all, Tim delighted in Jesus, the foundation for his life, his vocation, and all of his relationships. Sooner than we would choose, Tim passed away — not with pain or fear, but with confidence, peace and delight in the Lord while his body failed. We know with joy his spirit is alive and well, and he is now with Jesus, his Saviour and greatest love. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to: Compassion Canada (child sponsorship) MCC (world relief organization) VGH and UBC Research Foundation (comments section, specify AL Amyloidosis Research)
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JULY 17, 2026
13
NEWS WHISTLER
Highway closures, Crown land camping dominate Whistler council meeting with MLA COUNCIL PRESSES JEREMY VALERIOTE FOR PROVINCIAL ACTION ON HIGHWAY SAFETY, WILDFIRE RISKS AND POWERFUL E-BIKES
BY LUKE FAULKS THE EIGHT-HOUR closure of Highway
99 on July 5 exposed serious gaps in how authorities protect travellers stranded by major crashes, Whistler council told West Vancouver–Sea to Sky MLA Jeremy Valeriote this week. Safety concerns led to a wideranging discussion between Valeriote and Whistler’s committee of the whole on July 14. The conversation covered camping on Crown land, regional transit, the spruce budworm outbreak and increasingly powerful e-bikes on the Valley Trail. Valeriote said his office plans to raise four highway issues with the province: physical safety improvements, reckless driving, poor communication during closures and the length of police investigations. Councillor Arthur De Jong said the incident highlighted the absence of anyone responsible for managing the broader consequences of a closure while police focus on the crash scene. “I’ve watched elderly, young people, infants struggle with heat,” he said. “At some point, the risks to people caught on the highway far exceed, shall we say, the setbacks of reducing the investigation.” Valeriote said he did not believe there was a clear overseer coordinating assistance for stranded motorists. “I don’t think anybody’s really in charge, which is why it turns into a
mess,” he said. Coun. Cathy Jewett said electronic highway signs did not display useful information during the event, while DriveBC was slow to provide updates. More accurate messaging could have stopped motorists before they entered the backed-up section, she said. Council members reiterated an emergency plan must account for vulnerable travellers, including children
threaten Whistler’s investments in wildfire protection. “I fear that the money that we’re spending on FireSmarting and all the money that we have to protect ourselves from this are all at risk because of someone flicking a cigarette butt at one of these illegal encampments and burning our town to the ground,” he said. Valeriote acknowledged responsibility is divided among several ministries and
“I don’t think anybody’s really in charge, which is why it turns into a mess.” - JEREMY VALERIOTE
stranded aboard school buses and motorists caught during extreme winter or summer temperatures.
CROWN-LAND CAMPING RAISES FIRE CONCERNS
Council also called for stronger enforcement against long-term encampments on provincial land north and south of Whistler. Coun. Ralph Forsyth described some sites as being in a state of “near lawlessness,” pointing to trailers, boats, large supplies of firewood and reports of campers being rented out despite provincial rules generally limiting stays on Crown land to 14 days. Forsyth said the unmanaged sites
enforcement agencies, but said the issue has reached a point where the province can no longer “look the other way.” De Jong added the province should establish a mechanism to clear highrisk Crown-land areas during periods of extreme fire danger. Municipal staff noted the province has previously closed backcountry trails and recreation areas, while local emergency powers are generally reserved for active evacuations or declared emergencies.
TRANSIT, BUDWORM AND E-BIKES
Valeriote identified regional bus service as one of his office’s highest priorities, arguing the province has “slow rolled”
commitments made through its former cooperation agreement between the BC Green and NDP caucuses. He said he remains confident regional transit will eventually proceed, but warned local governments and community groups may need to launch a more public campaign. Federal funding could also play a role as B.C. confronts a significant deficit, he said. Council sought updates on the spruce budworm outbreak after aerial spraying took place around Whistler in June. Valeriote said the Ministry of Forests will need several months to assess whether the treatment successfully reduced the insect population. The treatment was intended to suppress—not eradicate—the outbreak. If it continues beyond its typical cycle, Valeriote said Whistler could face significant impacts to forest health, scenery and wildfire fuel levels. Jewett also pressed for provincial regulation of high-powered throttlecontrolled e-bikes, warning they are mixing with pedestrians, dogs and strollers on the Valley Trail while existing rules leave municipal bylaw officers with limited enforcement powers. Valeriote said some imported devices appear to fall outside B.C.’s legal e-bike classifications and may not be legal to operate on public roads, while provincial regulation and enforcement have failed to keep pace. “I’m surprised there hasn’t been a serious injury yet,” he said of the Valley Trail. “It’s only a matter of time.” n
Waldorf gets final lease extension at Spruce Grove THE SCHOOL WILL BE ABLE TO FINISH THE 2026-27 ACADEMIC YEAR BEFORE MOVING INTO THE NEW ALTA LAKE ROAD CAMPUS
BY LUKE FAULKS THE WHISTLER Waldorf School has been
offered one final year at Spruce Grove Park, giving the independent school until June 30, 2027, ahead of its move to a permanent campus on Alta Lake Road. The school has operated at Spruce Grove for more than two decades under a temporary arrangement, but the park is held by the municipality under a Crown grant requiring it be used for outdoor recreation and enjoyment. The extension, announced on July 9, is meant to bridge the gap while the school advances a new location in town. “A new permanent Alta Lake location has been identified by the school, and they are actively pursuing the development of new facilities, but require time to support its move to a new location,” the Resort Municipality of Whistler (RMOW) wrote in a release.
14 JULY 17, 2026
“This final licence of occupation extension is offered to provide sufficient time for the school to complete the transition to its Alta Lake Road location.” The RMOW said staff discussions with the Ministry of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship indicate the province understands the municipality is working to ensure the use of Spruce Grove respects the Crown grant, while giving the school time to transition.
LONG-RUNNING SEARCH FOR CERTAINTY
The decision adds another chapter to a long-running location issue for the school. In July 2024, the RMOW announced the school’s lease at Spruce Grove would not be renewed beyond 2025, prompting outcry from the Waldorf community. Council later revised the decision, and the municipality clarified the arrangement was “only an extension,” not a decision to let the school remain in Spruce Grove. The issue became more pressing in
June 2025, when the province determined the school’s use of Spruce Grove was “not aligned with the intent” of the Crown grant. That decision prompted school officials to accelerate its long-running search for a permanent location. Whistler Waldorf has since turned its attention to Lot 34 off Alta Lake Road. Pique reported in January the school was eyeing the site as a new home after more than two decades at Spruce Grove, with a zoning amendment proposed to permit school and auxiliary daycare uses on a 0.75-hectare portion of the property. Council later sent the proposal to a public hearing, where residents aired divided views, before the rezoning cleared third reading in February. The zoning amendment was adopted April 27, allowing school and licensed childcare use on the Alta Lake Road site. An update from the school project page says the Waldorf has secured a 2.14-acre land donation, submitted permitting applications and launched a capital
campaign, with $12 million secured toward a $20-million campus vision.
‘A NEW CHAPTER’
Whistler Waldorf board chair Kelly Hand previously framed the move as both a challenge and an opportunity. “This transition marks an exciting and transformative new chapter in our school’s journey,” Hand said, adding the school was grateful for the RMOW’s support and the community built over more than 20 years at Spruce Grove. The school says the future campus is planned for about 275 students, with more classrooms, specialized learning spaces, childcare space, a gymnasium, performance space and community gathering areas. Once Waldorf leaves Spruce Grove, the RMOW says it will launch a community engagement process to determine future uses for the field house and adjacent parkland. That engagement is expected to begin in early 2027. n
NEWS WHISTLER
Naturespeak: Pause the dishes; the wallpaper is talking BY CHLOE VAN LOON LICHEN FELT LIKE “soggy popcorn,” a fern frond was “spikey, like a needle,” and also tasted like “mint,” a fallen pine twig felt “lightweight.” These were all written observations by third- and fourth-graders within a small patch of Myrtle Philip Community School’s bordering forest, participating in my nature journaling lesson. But what these students were doing wasn’t just sketching or writing; they were participating in a dialogue. Nature journaling is fundamentally an act of noticing; that is what the students were asked to journal: “what do you notice” about their choice of something in the forest. Noticing is one way, and I’d argue an incredibly easy way, of connecting with nature—or rather, how we allow the natural world to communicate with us. We fall so easily into the routine of passing through the landscapes we frequent, typically only prompted to notice nature when something unusual, or charismatically cute diverts our line of sight. Richard Louv sums this up as: “habit dims sight and sound.” We all have habits, like hazily staring out the kitchen window while doing the dishes, treating the view as static wallpaper rather than
FROND FONDNESS There are lots of observations to be made from a single fern frond. PHOTO BY CHLOE VAN LOON
a living, biodiverse community. We look, but do we really see? This past week, for whatever reasons, instead of glossing over the hemlock branches out my biggest windows, I felt compelled to pause and trace the delicate branching patterns of its needles. Later that week, on a walk to look for slime moulds, I barely covered any distance over the span of hours. But the miniature worlds I uncovered
could never have been seen at a normal walking speed. A standstill or snail’s pace is far more conducive to noticing the often unnoticed. Stopping to notice invites us to engage not just our eyes, but our ears, our touch, and sometimes, even our taste, num num. Slowing down isn’t just an artistic or ecological pursuit; it is a restorative one. A growing body of research shows that the explicit act of “noticing” nature—actively
paying attention to the details of a flower, the texture of bark, or the flight of a bird— reduces cortisol levels and positively benefits our emotional well-being. As much as this is an invitation to join me, it’s also a personal PSA to step beyond our comfort zones and habits to dive deeper into our usual views and the natural communities we frequent. If you aren’t sure where to begin, take a prompt from nature journalers to guide your mind: What do you notice? (Look for coloration, textures, patterns.) What do you wonder? (Why does bark curve that way? Where is that chickadee flying to?) What does it remind you of? (Does that lichen look like soggy popcorn to you, too?) As you sit with these questions, shift the lens inward: What are you noticing right in front of you that you’ve missed about 27 times before? What do you notice about how you feel in this stillness? What are you noticing about the act of noticing itself? Listen closely. Nature has a lot to say to you… if you listen. Naturespeak is prepared by the Whistler Naturalists. To learn more about Whistler’s natural world, go to whistlernaturalists. ca. n
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JULY 17, 2026
15
NEWS PEMBERTON
‘We’re all learning here’: Q’aLaTKu7eM School garden grows into food-security hub THE REMOTE GARDEN SUPPORTS AN EXPANDING COMMUNITY, HOT LUNCHES AND HANDS-ON LEARNING ON STL’ATL’IMX TERRITORY
BY LUKE FAULKS ON A WARM June day, a half-dozen
Q’aLaTKu7eM Community School students moved through a garlic patch, searching the plants for curling green scapes. The goal, food-security coordinator James Moch explained, is to free up energy for the plants to redirect into growing the garlic bulbs underground. The scapes are edible, too: Moch noted they can be chopped into butter for garlic bread. The lesson takes place in a rapidly growing garden, which, in addition to garlic, includes a greenhouse, foodwashing station, strawberries, rhubarb, potatoes, corn, beans, tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, carrots, beets, pumpkins, squash, mint and other crops. It’s a big yard for a one-room school of roughly 10 students to manage. But since the school opened eight years ago, the garden has grown beyond a classroom resource into a source of hot lunches, free produce and prepared meals for the wider community. “The garden shows what education can look like when students are connected to land, community, and purpose,” the school’s sole teacher, Jillian Fraser told Pique during a recent visit. “It’s not only growing food—it
GROWTH GOALS Students direct water over newly planted seed trays at the Q’aLaTKu7eM garden greenhouse. PHOTO BY LUKE FAULKS
16 JULY 17, 2026
is growing confidence, belonging, leadership and wellness.” Here’s how the school turned a small plot into a community food security hub.
REACHING OUT TO KNOWLEDGE-HOLDERS
Q’aLaTKu7eM Community School (QCS) sits at the 33rd kilometre of the In-SHUCKch Forest Service Road (FSR) on the west side of lower Lillooet Lake—roughly 90 minutes from Whistler. Before the school opened in 2018, students often had to make a long daily commute up the FSR to schools in Mount Currie or Pemberton. When Fraser helped establish QCS in 2018, she looked to local elder Wayne Smith to help teach culture and tradition classes. “Part of that job became the students being leaders in the garden under Wayne’s guidance,” Fraser recalled. “That was a really beautiful process where the students were doing all of the nurturing, planting, harvesting alongside Wayne’s leadership, and then Wayne would lead in traditional food preparation, and it became just like a beautiful part of the program.” But when Smith died, Fraser said the school struggled to maintain that momentum. That was until Ken Wilson, a Samahquam community member paid by the band to oversee the garden’s daily operations, stepped in as its “community champion.” She said Wilson has put “the blood, sweat, and tears” into reviving the garden. “We just chip away at it every year,”
Wilson explained. “We’ve really expanded a lot, [and] the kids help lots. This time of year, we’ve got a really pretty loaded garden.” Wilson said students come to the garden at least weekly, usually for one or two hours, with the sessions kept flexible according to their interest. In June, students are snapping garlic scapes, learning seed saving and planting yellow Roma tomato seeds. In the fall, the classroom shifts heavily toward harvest and cooking. “The school gets so much of the produce from the garden for [our] hot food program,” Fraser said. “And then what we do is we’ll make additional portions, and then I’ll post to say hot meals available—including how we made it, you how can do it, too.” Grade 3 student Mathilda PetersThorne said she likes moving seedlings into the garden and learning from Wilson “about how many holes to put in the dirt.” “I also like seeing it grow and when it’s done growing that I can harvest it out of the dirt,” she said. “I like learning from big James about how many seeds we put in.”
HARVESTING FOR COMMUNITY
The garden’s infrastructure has grown through a mix of funding, band support, donations and practical problem-solving. This year, a new sea-can (small shipping container) gives the garden power, storage and a place to start seedlings under lights and heat. A shaded gazebo and washing station give people a place to gather, clean vegetables and
keep produce out of the sun. Even the soil has been built over time. “Every year we get multiple truckloads of soil to add to this soil,” said Moch. “It’s very sandy soil down here, so this has been created soil over the last seven or eight years here, to make where it’s lush and growing well.” The Q’aLaTKu7eM garden is part of broader food-security work in the Lower Stl’atl’imx communities. Wilson and Moch have helped develop similar garden infrastructure in Skatin and Tipella farther down the lake. Moch said the work has roots in earlier health and school-based programming. Three years ago, he shifted to focus strictly on food security. Moch said the goal is not profit. “It’s strictly to support health and wellness in the community,” he said. “Access to good quality—it means all grown organically—so it creates accessibility to healthy groceries and food. It helps, anyways.” As produce is harvested, Wilson posts updates to a community Facebook page and makes it available for pickup. “It’s all given to the community,” he said. “We don’t [sell it]. And we’re getting a freeze dryer this year to help preserve it.”
CULTIVATING LEADERSHIP
The garden is also a place where older students have built work experience. “Some of the older kids that have gone on from here and graduated, they’ve
SEE PAGE 17 >>
NEWS PEMBERTON
KFC proposed for Pemberton gateway PETRO-CANADA SAYS THE FAST FOOD RESTAURANT IS IN THE PERMITTING STAGE, WITH A TARGET OPENING IN 2027
BY LUKE FAULKS
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OFF THE CHAIN The proposal challenges the myth that Pemberton banned chain restaurants.
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ON THE MYTH OF A CHAIN BAN
The proposal also touches on a longrunning piece of Pemberton lore: the idea that restaurant chains are banned in the village, with the gateway McDonald’s grandfathered in. The bylaw record and response from the Village do not support that version. Pemberton’s zoning bylaw allows “restaurant” as a permitted principal use in the C-2 Tourism Commercial zone, where the Petro-Canada property is located. It also allows convenience stores and gasoline stations in the same zone. The most salient restriction on fast food venues is on drive-thrus. The bylaw says drive-thru business use is only permitted on lands legally described as Lot A, Plan KAP74508, DL 203, LLD— where the McDonald’s sits—at the time the bylaw was adopted. The KFC application does not show a new drive-thru lane. Petro-Canada said the project is currently in the permitting stage, with a target opening in 2027, subject to approvals and construction timelines. n
Q’ALATKU7EM FROM PAGE 16 been here six, seven years, and they may be working with Murphy Construction now, or other things, but some of them had a lot of involvement,” Moch said. “The building of a greenhouse was done by youth, for example. The work hits a whole bunch of target areas.” For Wilson, the need is also practical. The community has grown in recent years, with brand new homes built across Q’aLaTKu7eM. Wilson estimates about 100 people now live there, with more young children in the community than when he first arrived. For the growing remote community, access to groceries can be difficult and expensive. “Just all the homemade stuff you can
Dinner S E R I E S
SUNDAY, AUGUST 16, 2026 The Range, Whistler Golf Course
AN EVENING WORTH CELEBRATING
A KFC could be coming to Pemberton’s
Petro-Canada as part of a proposed renovation of the gas station and convenience store at 1440 Portage Rd. Plans submitted to the Village of Pemberton show a “KFC add-in” at the existing Petro-Canada site, located near Highway 99 in Pemberton’s Gateway area. The development permit application proposes adding a quickservice restaurant inside part of the existing convenience-store space, along with a small addition to accommodate the new use. The application lists the proposed fast food venue area at 85.57 square metres, with the convenience store reduced to 159.9 square metres. In a statement to Pique, Petro-Canada said the project is part of its broader retail growth plan. “As part of Petro-Canada’s retail growth plan, we continuously look for opportunities to bring customers the services, convenience and amenities they value most,” the company said. “In Pemberton, we’re excited about proposed improvements at this location, including a quick-service restaurant addition and site upgrades, to better serve the community and travellers.” The company said it offers a range of food options at locations across Canada based on “guest needs, the local market and site fit.” The proposed work is largely interior, but the site plan includes exterior changes, a 35.74-square-metre addition, an extended sidewalk, a new barrierfree parking stall, eight additional parking stalls and refreshed signage. The drawings also show new KFC signs and exterior façade changes.
LONG TABLE
have from your garden, it really opens a whole new world,” he said. “The food’s so expensive, and access down here can be tough. The FSR isn’t bad for a one-off, but if you’re doing that consistently, that’s a lot of time spent and money on fuel.” Moch said the garden continues to improve because people keep showing up. “It’s just great to see every year continues, and we kind of build off the other years,” he said. “It’s getting better and better. I think most gardens with consistency of keeping it going, keeping it active, you add to it and build it, and we learn, we’re all learning here. That’s what this is ultimately about, is we’re all learning—myself included, Ken, teachers, and the students.” n
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JULY 17, 2026
17
THE OUTSIDER
Readying the rig THE TERM “overlanding” came from the old vehicle expeditions of the mid-20th century, when the adventure was literally driving a vehicle across a continent, or from one continent to another. In 1953, two young Canadians (with a rather large travel bug), Bristol Foster and Robert Bateman, mapped out a 14-month route across some of the most remote terrain on the planet.
BY VINCE SHULEY Their vehicle was a Series I Land Rover, custom-built with an ambulancestyle body/roof conversion with enough room to comfortably sleep two grown men. Sourced straight from the Solihull factory near Birmingham, England, they nicknamed their new adventure vehicle Grizzly Torque and drove it across Africa, both South Asia and South East Asia and Australia. The Land Rover brand made a great mini-documentary on Foster and Bateman’s adventure in the first massproduced civilian four-wheel drive car with doors and a hard roof, where the vehicle was all but a character in the story. That was real overlanding. Fast forward to the early 2020s and—just like mountain biking— overlanding experienced a meteoric rise in popularity. The pandemic had people looking for every way to get more outdoors and the influencers amplified it. All of a sudden, overlanding became a joke about “pavement princess” vehicles (overburdened with rooftop tents and excessive off-road upgrades) with inexperienced and/or clueless
RIGGIN’ AWESOME Building up a capable 4x4 vehicle is fun, but not as fun as driving to wild places. PHOTO BY VINCE SHULEY
18 JULY 17, 2026
drivers behind the wheel. And just like the temporary boom in mountain biking, a lot of that overlanding popularity has receded, at least with new entrants. People realized real overlanding is hard and decided to go back to spending their time on easier recreational activities. Perhaps a bit late to the party (or possibly right on time), I’ve begun my own off-road vehicle hobby. I won’t call it “overlanding,” since I’m not getting into vast distances or crazy technical trails in my truck yet, but I’m exploring forestry roads and finding cool places to camp in my truck. I began to purchase the bits and pieces last year, and my rig is more or less complete for what I want
BED STIFFENERS
This was me being a bit pedantic, but I was worried that the elevated weight of the RTT may twist my bed when I’m crawling over obstacles. These bed stiffener brackets are relatively cheap at about $100 and require minimal drilling into your truck’s metal. They are permanently installed, but don’t interfere with my winter sled deck.
HARDSHELL RTT
This was the biggest purchase, and also sourced on Marketplace. I would have loved to shell out on a slick iKamper or Roofnest, but I couldn’t quite stomach the $4,000-plus pricetag for those units (that’s second-hand). I ended up with a used Tuff Stuff Overland Alpha II (a reputable brand
People realized real overlanding is hard and decided to go back to spending their time on easier recreational activities. to do right now, including being able to convert back into a simple pickup truck for winter when I need it to haul my sled. Here’s what I invested in to make off-road driving and camping more comfortable.
BED RACKS
If you’re running a truck, you need sturdy cross-bars to support the weight of a rooftop tent (RTT). I bought a secondhand pair of O2 Fabrication cross bars on Facebook Marketplace for about $600. I ended up finding side panels for them as well (for an additional $300), so I probably could have just bought a new rack with panels already installed (like RCI rack or similar) in the first place. The racks are easy to install and remove in the spring and fall.
out of California) because, a) I wanted a durable build, and b) I needed a sideopen design to allow overhead room at the back of the bed. The Alpha II set me back $2,400 cash, and after seeing the tent start to creep off the bed rack on my first big off-road trip over the Hurley, I needed about $200 to pay a welder to cut and bend some stronger steel retention brackets. Adding and removing from my bed racks is a two-person job, and it requires significant storage space in my garage over the winter.
SWING ARM BIKE RACK
I thought I would use a tailgate pad with this build, but I quickly realized that 29-er bikes and my RTT mounted at the height of the truck cab (to limit the drop in fuel economy from aerodynamic drag)
are largely incompatible with the amount of gear I want to bring on a trip. I decided to go back to a hitch-mounted tray rack and ended up with a Yakima StepUp Swing tray rack. This rack is articulated to quickly release by a threaded handle and pins, then your secured bikes swing out of the way for full access to the truck bed. This was so much more convenient than removing bikes every time you pull over to camp and access your stuff. That convenience comes at a hefty price, at just over $1,300.
UPGRADED TRUCK SUSPENSION
This was the last piece of the puzzle and one of the more expensive buys, but I really wanted to upgrade from the (to be blunt, quite crap) stock suspension on my Tacoma TRD Sport. I bought my FOX Performance Series 2.5s at a significant discount while I still worked for FOX, but there are other affordable alternatives (such as Dobinsons) that are a substantial upgrade for off-roading. My brother in Australia runs Dobinsons on his offroad-capable Toyota Landcruiser, and he speaks highly of the performance gains. A locally sourced Dobinsons kit with installation will run you approximately $2,500. Many will argue that you don’t need any of this stuff, that you can hop into any truck or SUV with decent 4x4 capability and go camp under the stars. That’s true. But if I’m heading out into the boonies, these days I prefer a more comfortable ride and getting a decent night’s sleep. The cost per night for this setup is currently comparable to staying in a hotel, but I’m bringing that down every weekend I go out. Plus, it’s a whole lotta fun exploring roads and trails I’ve never seen before. Vince Shuley never thought he’d be a truck guy. For questions, comments or suggestions for The Outsider, email vince.shuley@gmail.com or Instagram @whis_vince. n
SCIENCE MATTERS
Every oil and gas pipeline moves in the wrong direction IT’S NOT UTOPIAN to envision a Canada
with less pollution, lower household costs and a smaller gap between rich and poor. We have the technology, knowledge and skilled workforce to make it happen—and we’re seeing effective solutions employed worldwide. But time is running out, and consequences are mounting: record heat killing thousands; extreme weather events increasing in number and severity; wildfires clogging air with smoke and threatening homes; aquifers and reservoirs drying up; droughts causing food shortages; disease-carrying
BY DAVID SUZUKI insects moving to areas they’ve rarely been seen; sea levels threatening entire cities… the list goes on. The message from scientists and organizations worldwide—from the United Nations to the International Energy Agency (IEA) to the International Institute for Sustainable Development— is clear: There’s no room for continued gas, oil or coal exploration or development if we’re to prevent global average temperatures from rising beyond catastrophic levels. Canada could be a global leader in solutions. An east-west renewablepowered grid could quickly put us on the path to zero emissions. We have the knowhow to improve and employ energy storage and electric vehicle technologies. We could easily reduce consumption. So, what’s Canada’s plan? More pipelines to deliver polluting, climate-altering dirty bitumen to dwindling markets; ramped up watersucking, polluting fracked gas; gutted environmental review processes and reduced climate policies. And federal and provincial government leaders want you to pay for it! The 1,200-kilometre pipeline proposed by the federal and Alberta governments would transport diluted bitumen from Alberta to B.C.’s south coast along the existing Trans Mountain pipeline route. It would cost up to $44 billion, mostly financed by taxpayers. (Costs for the Trans Mountain pipeline expansion, which the federal government bought with our money, were originally pegged at $5.4 billion but ballooned to more than $34.2 billion.) Only one private company, Calgarybased Pembina Pipeline Corporation, has agreed to invest in the new pipeline, with a 10 per cent stake. Alberta Premier Danielle Smith says the project is part of “Alberta’s goal to double oil production to eight million barrels per day over the next 10 to 15 years.” It’s insane. The project will lock
us into polluting, climate-altering dirty fuels for years to come, or leave us with “stranded assets” as the world rapidly shifts to renewable energy. The pipeline is linked to the multibillion-dollar Pathways carbon capture and storage project, which would also be subsidized by taxpayers. It would only reduce emissions from production, not the far greater amount from burning the crude. And, as the IEA states, “Removing carbon from the atmosphere is costly and uncertain. We must do everything possible to stop putting it there in the first place.” It also comes with major risks, including carbon pipeline and storage facility ruptures and leaks, and excess water use. Meanwhile, Alberta and Ontario have been touting yet another pipeline between their provinces. And the federal and B.C. governments continue to support liquefied “natural” gas development, which means more fracking, water shortages, earthquakes and emissions of the potent greenhouse gas methane (which is what “natural” gas is composed of). Even in Alberta, a majority opposes using tax dollars for a new pipeline, according to a Pembina Institute poll. Most also agree that the province’s economy relies too much on oil and gas. Think of what $44 billion could buy. The Green Economy Network, an alliance of unions, environmental, public interest and faith-based organizations, recommends “$40 billion over five years for investments in greening Canada’s electricity systems.” The Green Budget Coalition suggests investing $32 billion over five years on clean energy projects and a renewablepowered east-west electricity grid, something David Suzuki Foundation research shows is feasible. Investing in cleaner energy would create good jobs and increase energy security and stability. As the IEA notes, fossil fuel investments are risky, because “if the world is successful in bringing down fossil demand quickly enough to reach net zero emissions by 2050, new projects would face major commercial risks.” Climate Analytics chief executive Bill Hare says, “Any investment in new fossil fuels now is a fool’s gamble, while joining the race to renewables can only bring benefits—not just jobs and cheaper energy at stable prices, but energy independence and access where it’s needed most.” Doubling down on fossil fuels moves Canada in the wrong direction. David Suzuki is a scientist, broadcaster, author and co-founder of the David Suzuki Foundation. Written with David Suzuki Foundation Senior Writer and Editor Ian Hanington. Learn more at davidsuzuki.org. n
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Notice of Public Hearing Waiver Electoral Area D
Pursuant to Section 464 of the Local Government Act, this is to provide notice of intent of the Squamish-Lillooet Regional District to amend the Electoral Area D Zoning Bylaw No. 1350-2016, in a manner consistent with the Electoral Area D Official Community Plan Bylaw No. 1135-2013. Public notice is hereby given in accordance with Section 467 of the Local Government Act that a Public Hearing is being waived regarding the following bylaw: • Squamish-Lillooet Regional District Electoral Area D Zoning Bylaw No. 1350-2016, Amendment Bylaw No. 1968-2026
Purpose of Bylaw No. 1968-2026
Current
Bylaw No. 1968-2026 proposes an SLRD initiated mapping amendment to correct the boundary between a residential area, zoned R1, and a tourist commercial area, zoned C1, located at the corner of Highway 99 and Copper Drive in Britannia Beach. The two parcels are identified as: • Lot A, District Lots 891 and 892, GROUP 1 NEW WESTMINSTER DISTRICT, PLAN EPP98029, & • Lot B, District Lots 891 and 892, GROUP 1 NEW WESTMINSTER DISTRICT, PLAN EPP98029.
Proposed
The zoning map revision will appear on Schedule B6 of the CD 2 Zone. As the proposed mapping amendment is consistent with the Official Community Plan the SLRD may waive the holding of a public hearing on the proposed bylaw.
Information and Submissions A copy of the proposed bylaw and relevant background documents may be inspected at the Regional District office, 1350 Aster Street, Pemberton, BC, during office hours 8:00 am to 4:00 pm from June 1 to July 21, 2026, not including weekends and statutory holidays, or on the SLRD website. Written submissions (mail or email) must be received at the SLRD office no later than 4:00 pm Tuesday, July 21, 2026.
SLRD.bc.ca
JULY 17, 2026
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h c t a m r u o y t e e M
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By Pique staff
Dating apps are exhausting. Thankfully, these locals aren’t
looking for someone who hikes 14 kilometres before breakfast, brags about being able to fold a fitted sheet, or lists “good communication” as a personality trait. They’re just after a warm bed, a full food bowl and a human to love. Once again, Pique has teamed up with Whistler Animals Galore (WAG) to give some of the Sea to Sky’s most eligible bachelors and bachelorettes a chance to show off their personalities. Every profile you see here belongs to a real adoptable animal waiting for their forever home. Unlike your average dating app, there’s a pretty good chance this match will change two lives for the better. Read more and find your perfect match at whistlerwag.com.
Leroy
AGE: (Around 1.5 yrs) Young at heart (and in legs) LOOKING FOR: Adventure buddy, treat dispenser, professional ball thrower
HEY, I’M LEROY. If you’re looking for a best friend who thinks every day should include an adventure, we might be a match. MY HOBBIES INCLUDE long walks, making new dog friends, splashing in every body of water I can find, and convincing humans that I definitely deserve another treat. I’m affectionate, energetic, and always ready to play—seriously, I can go for hours! Post-adventure I love a snooze and snuggle. GREEN FLAGS: Loves dogs, loves people, loves life. LOVE LANGUAGE: Treats and quality time. IDEAL DATE: A trail, a lake, and snacks. 20 JULY 17, 2026
FEATURE STORY
Diablo
AGE: (Around 1.5 yrs) Giant baby years old LOOKING FOR: Someone who appreciates a
little goofiness.
Don’t let the name fool you, I’m basically a teddy bear in a big dog’s body.
MY TALENTS INCLUDE expert-level snoozing,
making people laugh, accepting pets from absolutely anyone, and being everyone’s best friend within minutes of meeting them. I love other dogs, love people, and love treats with equal enthusiasm.
I’M A SIMPLE GUY who loves good company, a bit of playtime, and a comfy spot to nap afterward.
GREEN FLAGS: Friendly, cuddly, and zero drama. LOVE LANGUAGE: Belly rubs and snacks. WARNING: May accidentally sit on your feet while
trying to cuddle.
Otis
AGE: (Around 7.5 yrs) Distinguished gentleman. LOOKING FOR: A calm companion with a sense of adventure.
HI, I’M OTIS. Think of me as the perfect mix of mature and playful. I’ve got great manners, a gentle soul, and still enjoy getting out to explore the world. I LOVE MEETING NEW PEOPLE, taking in
new sights, and joining my humans on adventures. I also happen to have epilepsy, but it’s well managed and doesn’t stop me from living my best life. I’m the kind of guy who doesn’t need to be the centre of attention, I just enjoy good company and making meaningful connections.
GREEN FLAGS: Polite, gentle, easygoing. FUN FACT: I still have a playful side when the mood strikes.
IDEAL DATE: A scenic walk followed by quality hangout time.
JULY 17, 2026
21
FEATURE STORY
Mohawk
AGE: (Around 10 yrs) Senior sweetheart. LOOKING FOR: A loyal companion to share life’s
simple moments.
HI, I’M MOE. My perfect relationship isn’t complicated, I just want to be close to my people and know I’m loved. I TAKE THINGS NICE AND STEADY, I’m a gentle, loyal guy who thrives on routine and enjoys the little things like car rides, belly rubs, a leisurely walk, and spending time together. I’ll happily follow your lead wherever life takes us. I’M WONDERFUL WITH PEOPLE, calm children,
and some dogs. Sometimes unfamiliar situations make me a little unsure, and I might let out a bark or two, but once I know everything is OK, I’m right back to being my sweet self.
GREEN FLAGS: Loyal, affectionate, full of love. SPECIAL SKILL: Being the world’s best
sidekick.
IDEAL DATE: A drive, a walk, and ending the day together on the couch.
River
AGE: (3.5 yrs) Experienced observer, professional treat negotiator. LOOKING FOR: Trail buddy and snack enthusiast. HEY, I’M RIVER. I’m smart, observant, and
pretty much know all the basics. Do I always listen? That’s a different question.
I LOVE BEING OUTSIDE, meeting new people
on the trails, and making dog friends. Sometimes I’m the life of the party, and sometimes I’m just sitting back watching the action unfold like a wise little philosopher.
I SETTLE EASILY, love routine, and never say no to treats. If you’re looking for a thoughtful adventure partner who enjoys both exploring and people-watching, I’m your dog.
GREEN FLAGS: Smart, social, easygoing. LOVE LANGUAGE: Treats and outdoor adventures. FUN FACT: I know all the tricks and I’m aware of it. 22 JULY 17, 2026
Whistler’s
IER PREGM rooming, Dog Daycare & Boutique!
Professional & Comfortable Grooming Stress-free experiences with expert stylists. FULL GROOM PACKAGE:
Includes a relaxing bath, blow-dry, full-body haircut/ style tailored to the breed, nail trimming, and ear cleaning.
BATH & BRUSH (MAINTENANCE): Perfect for active summer dogs. Includes a thorough wash, blow-dry, intensive de-shedding brushout, nail trim, and ear cleaning.
ADD-ON SERVICES:
Nail trimming/
grinding, ear cleaning, and specialized coat treatments for active pups.
Cage-Free Daycare & Outdoor Adventures Your dog will feel at home. Includes daily walks, playtime with friends, and trips to local lakes to cool off.
Open Monday to Sunday!
BOOK YOUR APPOINTMENT: Web: www.whistlerpawsgrooming.ca • Phone: (604) 388-8637 Address: 2067 Lake Placid Rd #106, Creekside, Whistler
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JULY 17, 2026
23
SPORTS THE SCORE
‘Give everything, expect nothing and know what is possible’ ELLA MACPHEE ENTERS WORLD CUP MIDSEASON BREAK WITH XCO SILVER IN PAL ARINSAL
BY DAVID SONG TWO SUNDAYS ago in La Thuile, Italy,
Ella MacPhee began a cross-country Olympic (XCO) race with the mindset to “give everything and expect nothing.” She didn’t always feel well during that event, but pushed hard where possible and surprised herself with bronze: her first World Cup medal in 13 months. Bolstered by the joy of long-awaited success, MacPhee’s philosophy became “give everything, expect nothing and know what is possible.” That outlook combined with physical fitness and tactical wisdom to produce a silver medal on July 12 in Pal Arinsal, Andorra. The Squamolian powered through in one hour, 11 minutes and 10 seconds behind only Valentina Corvi, who kept on dominating with her fifth XCO gold in six rounds (1:09:51). Fiona Schibler took bronze for Switzerland (1:11:17). “My second World Cup XCO podium
SURFING TO SILVER Ella MacPhee celebrates her silver medal after the World Cup XCO race on July 12 in Pal Arinsal, Andorra. PHOTO BY ROSS BELL
24 JULY 17, 2026
in a row feels outstanding!” MacPhee said. “After a difficult start to the season, these two weeks have been the perfect reminder to keep trusting the process and that hard work truly does pay off. “I think my podium in Andorra showed me that La Thuile was not a one-off, and that I am super strong and capable of being at the front of World Cups again. Everyone
I’m really happy to finish this race block with another win.” Back on July 10, Corvi also won the short track in Pal Arinsal (19:29) in front of Lisa Kristine Jorde (19:43) and Canadian Rafaelle Carrier (19:45) in that order. MacPhee was ninth (19:58), her fellow Squamish rider Marin Lowe winding up 15th in both short track and XCO.
“I think my podium in Andorra showed me that La Thuile was not a one-off...” - ELLA MACPHEE
has been telling me to believe, but these two weeks have brought a lot of personal belief in myself which feels amazing.” Italy’s Corvi spoke in a press release: “It was super hard … after this racing block I was feeling a little tired, so I focused on riding my own race. I struggled a bit in the middle of the race because the course is so demanding, with tough climbs and technical descents. I just tried to stay focused on my body and my sensations. The last three laps felt much better and
PERFECT PACING
MacPhee loves to go all-in and challenge her limits throughout a race, but knew she needed to be conservative in Pal Arinsal where 2,000-odd metres of altitude can drain anybody’s gas tank. Keeping calm, she reached the first forest in a top-10 position and maintained control amidst a large pack pushing for hardware. A minor crash in the second of six laps allowed one of her Swiss opponents to break away, but MacPhee kept her wits
about her and closed the gap. “To this point I had followed my plan and kept on top of cooling due to the heat. I was confident that I had paced the race perfectly and was ready to give it my all,” she said. Hard pedal strokes during the event’s first long climb generated a bit of distance between MacPhee and her pursuers, and the gap grew after she dug deep again on the following steep section. Ultimately she mounted a decisive last charge, holding off Schibler by seven seconds and finishing with enough time to celebrate her podium achievement. That said, catching Corvi and her 884 points atop the women’s U23 XCO overall looks to be a mammoth ask for the field. Even second-place athlete Katrin Embacher (481) and third-place Schibler (468) are well behind the Italian. MacPhee is in fifth (443) and had this to say about Corvi: “It’s nice to have such a strong rider at the front pushing the pace. It raises the bar for how we must compete, which is pretty cool.” The UCI cross-country circuit now enters a six-week midseason break, returning Aug. 20 to 23 in Les Gets, France. Visit ucimtbworldseries.com/ results/2026/pal-arinsal-andorra-2026 for more Pal Arinsal results. n
SPORTS THE SCORE
Community Acupuncture This Sunday July 19th 10am to 2pm at Whistler Wellness Whistler Wellness is pleased to make Community Acupuncture available for the first time in Whistler!
RAPID DESCENT Gracey Hemstreet racing the World Cup downhill event on July 11 in Pal Arinsal, Andorra. PHOTO COURTESY OF UCI
Gracey Hemstreet takes silver in Pal Arinsal one year after crashing
Community Acupuncture treatments are designed to provide accessible, focused acupuncture treatments in the calm, healing environment of a private room at Whistler Wellness. These 30-minute sessions may help support stress, sleep, recovery, nervous system regulation, digestion, hormonal health and overall wellbeing. Cost is $50 per treatment. Direct insurance billing available. Convenient Whistler Village location in Marketplace.
FINN ILES, JACKSON GOLDSTONE PLACE FIFTH AND SIXTH, RESPECTIVELY
BY DAVID SONG MONTHS AGO, Gracey Hemstreet crashed in Pal Arinsal, Andorra, squandering what could have been a victorious run and falling into fifth. She made no such mistake at July 11’s World Cup downhill event in the same place, obtaining silver and a measure of redemption. Hemstreet attacked the loose and dusty 2.1-kilometre Andorran venue with gusto, finishing in a quick three minutes and 7.202 seconds by way of a blazing middle sector. The only woman faster to the line was, of course, Valentina Höll who authored her fifth World Cup gold in six races this year (3:06.717). Sacha Earnest of New Zealand found enough speed for bronze (3:09.586) despite very nearly hitting a course marker right out of the start gate. “It’s insane,” said Austria’s Höll in a press release. “I had such a hard practice [Saturday] morning and didn’t really feel like risking my life today. Somehow, once I left the start gate, my brain switched off and I managed to make it happen again. I’m happy to have the holidays now because this is so stressful. “The bike is incredible. The Commencal bike is really helping me on tracks like these. I saw the women’s junior time [Aletha Ostgaard won in 3:08.156] ... and thought, ‘I need to go faster than that.’ Somehow I managed it, and I’m super happy. They’re inspiring, they’re pushing the level higher, and it will be both fun and stressful racing against them next year.” Höll’s is the only rider to have broken 1000 points in either the ladies’ or men’s downhill overall so far (1265), and she holds a massive edge over runner-up Lisa Baumann (712) and Hemstreet in third (670). TWELVE
Whistler Village’s Integrative Health Clinic
‘THIS IS CRAZY’
No Sea to Sky athletes grabbed hardware on the men’s side, but Finn Iles won the opening sector en route to fifth place (2:44.702), roughly a tenth of a second in front of Jackson Goldstone who likewise bled time (2:44.807) in the course’s technical portions. Jordan Williams notched his second consecutive victory (2:41.666), defeating his British compatriot Reece Wilson (2:43.997) and America’s Ryan Pinkerton who rounded out the top three for his maiden World Cup podium (2:44.166). “This is crazy. It’s something that you dream of,” Williams told reporters. “To go back-to-back is insane. I can’t thank my team, Specialized Gravity, enough. For us to get four wins in a row on the S-Works Demo 11 is incredible. After my first win in my first elite race, I went a bit crazy afterwards and didn’t manage to back it up. Being in a team with Loïc [Bruni] and Finn [Iles], I’ve learned so much. “To win by more than two seconds on a track like this, I honestly didn’t think was possible. I don’t know how I did it. I want to be number one, and now I want to keep this momentum going and fight for the championship.” Williams (874) finds himself just ahead of Iles (811) in the overall, with Asa Vermette not far behind both (748). Meanwhile Goldstone remarked on social media: “Happy to be going into a break with a decent result. Wanted a bit more out of the run, so hurts a bit to be so close to the podium. All in all it was a good week and thanks to the crew for the support.” The next downhill World Cup is scheduled for Aug. 20 to 23 in Les Gets, France. Visit.ucimtbworldseries.com/ results/2026/pal-arinsal-andorra-2026 for more results from Pal Arinsal. n
209 - 4368 Main Street, Whistler, BC Scan To Schedule Community Acupuncture Treatment
604-332-0752 whistlerwellness.ca whistler_wellness
Tsetspa7 Forestry Limited Partnership & Skatin First Nation Forest Operations Map ID #3282 Notice of Public Review and Comment
Notice is hereby given that Tsetspa7 Forestry Limited Partnership, Licensee and holder of Forest Licence A83924, and Skatin First Nation, Licensee and holder of Non-Renewable Forest Licence A99545 is seeking public review and comment on Forest Operations Map (FOM) ID #3282, which is covered by Tsetspa7 Forestry Limited Partnership and Skatin First Nation Forest Stewardship Plan #745. The review and comment period related to FOM #3282 is available for a 30-day period between July 17, 2026 to August 16, 2026. This FOM consists of 7 proposed cut blocks, and 10 associated roads, located in the Lower Lillooet River Valley in the Sea to Sky Natural Resource District. The FOM can be viewed at https://fom.nrs.gov.bc.ca/public/projects, and by searching the FOM ID #3282 or the Tsetspa7 Forestry LP Licensee using the ‘find’ function. Alternatively, the information contained in the FOM can be made available for in-person viewing from 9am to 4pm weekdays at Kintera Solutions Ltd. (Formerly Chartwell Resource Group Ltd.)’s office at #201 – 1121 Commercial Place, Squamish BC, V5B 0S5, or at Tsetpsa7 Forestry LP’s office at 7338 Industrial Way, Pemberton, BC V0N 2L0. Comments can be submitted anytime during the 30-day period through https://fom.nrs.gov.bc.ca/public/projects, e-mailed to wstaven@crgl. ca, or mailed to the address noted above. Please reference the FOM ID when submitting comments. Following the review and comment period, this FOM may be relied upon to apply for a Road Permit or Cutting Permit for a 3-year period, ending July 17, 2029.
JULY 17, 2026
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EPICURIOUS
From Whistler to the world, Free Bacchus wants to revolutionize the alcohol industry THE WORLD’S FIRST UNIFIED FRONT FOR ORGANIC, PESTICIDE-FREE WINE AND SPIRITS GREW OUT OF AN APRÈS SESSION AT THE FOUR SEASONS WHISTLER
BY BRANDON BARRETT IT’S THE WINTER of 2024 and West Vancouver’s Kevin Yeung and his ski buddies are enjoying a round of après cocktails at the Four Seasons Whistler, a much needed respite after a particularly awful day on the mountain. Yeung, a biotech investor, had become a regular at the luxury hotel’s Braidwood Tavern since his son joined the Whistler Mountain Ski Club four years prior and found himself in the resort virtually every weekend of the ski season. Over that time, Yeung got to know the barstaff and liked challenging them to create tasty cocktails that couldn’t be found on the regular menu. This day, his task was simple: Make me a cocktail with an organic spirit. Easier said than done. “So it was during these cocktails that [we realized]: you can look around this beautiful bar, and you’ll notice that 99.9 per cent of everything you see here is non-organic,” Yeung said. “It’s effectively non-sustainable.” Out of that fateful après session, Yeung and his friends founded Audécious, an award-winning organic spirits brand. These days, the brand’s
AN AUDACIOUS MOVEMENT Kevin Yeung holds up a bottle of Audécious vodka, modelled after the 2010 Winter Olympics torch. Out of the Audécious brand grew Free Bacchus, labelled as the world’s first unified front for organic and pesticide-free wine and spirits. PHOTO BY BRANDON BARRETT
26 JULY 17, 2026
distinctive sugarcane vodka bottle— shaped after the 2010 Winter Olympics torch and featuring a map of Whistler’s Green Lake—sits smack-dab in the middle of the Braidwood bar and remains one of the only certified organic spirit brands on offer there. Yeung and his team made sure to do their research before launching Audécious, embarking on what he called “a listening tour” to Four Seasons locations around the globe, meeting with hotel leaders and bartenders in multiple countries across three continents. Two themes soon emerged. One was a lack
deliver a talk to Stanford University’s Doerr School of Sustainability. Believed to be the first spirit producer to speak to the school, Yeung’s talk focused on an underreported issue in alcohol production: the industry’s overreliance on pesticide-grown crops. “The true cost of traditional alcohol beverages, the use of pesticides, for humanity, is quite dire,” Yeung said. “It’s irrefutable. Pesticides have been linked to every type of cancer: lung cancer, skin cancer, you name it. It affects the farmers, it affects their spouses, and ultimately their children.”
“The true cost of traditional alcohol beverages, the use of pesticides, for humanity, is quite dire.” - KEVIN YEUNG
of access to sustainable products. The second? Even among the few organic alcohol brands on the market, it was difficult for the average consumer to know which ones actually tasted good. “People might try a brand the first time, because they’re like, ‘Oh, this is organic. Let me give it a shot.’ But they’re not going to go back if it’s not quality. They won’t reach out with their wallets,” Yeung said. It was during this globespanning tour that Yeung, who has previously worked with UNICEF and the UN’s World Food Programme, was invited to
While the sustainable food movement has years of momentum behind it, the alcohol industry has mostly resisted the same trend. “I understand that perhaps pesticides are necessary for food security, but there’s not a single product here that has any nutritional value whatsoever. Every bottle here is made purely for recreational purposes,” Yeung said, gesturing to the Braidwood bar. “That’s what we found reckless.” Yeung and his team quickly understood if they wanted to affect
change on a global scale, a single brand in Audécious wasn’t going to be enough. Thus, Free Bacchus was born. Labelled “the world’s first unified front for organic spirits and sustainable wines,” think of Free Bacchus as the alcohol industry’s version of the Michelin Guide, a certification standard focused on sustainable, quality alcohol producers. “It’s able to put a stamp on producers that are pesticide-free, but at the same time, the products have to be outstanding,” Yeung said. So far, Free Bacchus counts 75 producers across 14 countries, with ambitions to continue expanding its imprint and eventually include not just producers, but the venues that showcase them. Every bottle goes through a stringent two-step process, first verifying its sustainable farming practices and then its ultimate quality, corroborated by independent industry experts. There’s no hidden scores, no secret scoring methodologies, no pay-to-play. Free Bacchus’ ultimate ambition is no less than a global movement. “Our mission is to switch the world from drinking traditional alcoholic beverages made with products from pesticides,” Yeung said. “The world works by having a lot of people come together, to unite. So what we want to do is unite the highest grade producers to shine a light on what these offerings are for a global audience.” Learn more at freebacchus.com. Brandon Barrett is a performer, producer and former Pique reporter. n
MEADOW PARK SPORTS CENTRE SWIM • SKATE • SWEAT • SQUASH OPEN DAILY: 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. *some exceptions apply
FITNESS CLASS SCHEDULE JUL 17 FRIDAY
JUL 18 SATURDAY
JUL 19 SUNDAY
I Strength & Stability 7:30-8:30 a.m. Alex
I Functional Strength & Conditioning 9-10 a.m. Anna
JUL 20 MONDAY
JUL 21 TUESDAY
JUL 22 WEDNESDAY
I Mountain Ready Conditioning 7:30-8:30 a.m. Steve
I Strength & Stability 7:30-8:30 a.m. Andy
I Strength & Cardio 7:30-8:30 a.m. Lou
I Aqua Fit Deep End 8:45-9:45 a.m. Marie-Anne
I Aqua Fit Shallow End 8:45-9:45 a.m. Marie-Anne
I Low Impact I Strength & Strength Stability 9-10 a.m. 9-10 a.m. Andy Lou
I Strength & Stability 9-10 a.m. Francesca
I Zumba 10:30-11:30 a.m. Carmen
R Postpartum Core & Glutes 10:30-11:30 a.m. Sara
R Mom & Baby 10:15-11:15 a.m. Sara
R Fit 4 Life 12:30-1:30 p.m. Steve
R Prenatal Fitness 12:15-1:15 p.m. Sara
I Gentle Fit 12:30-1:30 p.m. Marie-Anne
I Strength & Mobility 5:30-6:30 p.m. Anna
I Full Body HIIT 5:30-6:30 p.m. Andy
I Low Impact Strength 9-10 a.m. Andrea
I Gentle Fit 12:30-1:30 p.m. Marie-Anne
JUL 23 THURSDAY
F FLEXIBLE REGISTRATION
Flex-reg’ classes have a separate fee and allow you to register for classes on the days that fit your schedule.
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 INCLUDED FITNESS These classes are included with your price of admission for no extra charge.
POOL HOURS JUL 17 FRIDAY
JUL 18 SATURDAY
JUL 19 SUNDAY
JUL 20 MONDAY
JUL 21 TUESDAY
JUL 22 JUL 23 WEDNESDAY THURSDAY
LAP POOL
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.
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
‘It’s a truly spectacular setting’ ARTS WHISTLER TO OFFER PLEIN AIR PAINTING ADVENTURE ON JULY 18 AND AUG. 22 ATOP WHISTLER MOUNTAIN
BY DAVID SONG IF YOU MISSED out on 2025’s Plein Air
Painting Adventure, worry not: for the experience is returning this summer. Plein Air is an art workshop for people of all skill levels. Guests begin their afternoon by travelling up to an exclusive location at Harmony Ridge Inukshuk on Whistler Mountain by hiking or via the gondola. Once gathered, a professional artist (Cassie Dickinson on July 18 and Heidi Mattson on Aug. 22) will help them select a part of the surrounding landscape and paint it over the course of two hours. Relevant supplies like brushes, easels, canvases and paints are provided on location. “It’s a truly spectacular setting,” remarks Arts Whistler executive director Maureen Douglas. “In Whistler, there’s so many people just trying to be creative from their kitchen table because that’s really all they have, so we love that what started last year … partnerships with Whistler Blackcomb where they really see
AIR UP THERE Guests present their completed works at Arts Whistler’s 2025 Plein Air Painting Adventure on top of Whistler Mountain. PHOTO BY FREDY VALENCIA
28 JULY 17, 2026
value in expanding both the resident and visitor experience in the summertime. “The response we got last year was fantastic. People who hiked out to the ridge just stopped, had to know what was going on and needed to watch for a while. We had a couple of no-shows and a couple of people were able to join in, and they couldn’t believe their good fortune.” Mattson has lived in the Sea to Sky
guided painting process with the idea that people can take it in whatever direction they would like to go in. It’s guided without being super duper structured.”
PAINTING ATOP THE WORLD
Speaking from personal experience, Mattson assures members of the public that painting in the crucible of nature is unlike any other kind of creative
“The response we got last year was fantastic. People who hiked out to the ridge just stopped, had to know what was going on...” - MAUREEN DOUGLAS
region her entire adult life and is currently based in a Pemberton studio. As both a painter and a tattoo artist, she has also taught others and enjoys connecting with people in workshop environments. “First of all, I try to instil that it’s not about the finished product,” Mattson says. “It’s really about the creative process and learning how to see and look at things. We also talk a lot about colour and shape and form, and I loosely take them through a
endeavour. One feels the energy of the place they are in: wind, temperature, sunshine. These might seem like unwelcome distractions on paper, but they can actually help convey emotion and inspiration for artists. The work becomes less about rigidly copying a photograph and more about encapsulating the essence of Harmony Ridge in almost any way desired. Mattson will give helpful tips, but she won’t try
to influence her students to adopt any particular visual style. “I really, really try to communicate to people the importance of play in their creative process,” she explains. “I think, especially as adults, we get tight and worried about what the finished product is going to look like. It’s really more about the experience … and being out in the environment really helps with that.” Douglas couldn’t agree more. In today’s world, there is so much digital, there’s so much coming at you that it almost stifles your creativity,” she opines. “We’re just processing information all the time. How much more beautiful does it get when what you’re focusing on is actually what is in front of your eyes and it’s breathtaking? You do feel like you are literally on top of the world.” Plein Air’s first go-around this summer is planned for July 18 between 2 and 4 p.m., with registrants encouraged to upload by 12:30 p.m. if taking the gondola. Afterwards, the group will head back to the Roundhouse and enjoy a complimentary drink from See Ya Later Ranch on the patio. Lift tickets are mandatory and not included in the event price of $85 per person ($65 for Arts Whistler members). Transportation support is available at no extra cost for those who may need it. Visit artswhistler.com/calendar/ plein-air-painting-adventure-july-18 for tickets and more details. n
ARTS SCENE Notice of Proposed Temporary Use Permit Temporary Use Permit No. 81 - Propane Storage Tank at 7506 Pemberton Portage Road
PUBLIC NOTICE is hereby given in accordance with Section 494 of the Local Government Act that the Regional Board will be considering the issuance of the above-mentioned permit at its regular Board meeting on July 22, 2026. The purpose of Temporary Use Permit No. 81 is to allow the following temporary use for a duration of three years: 18,000 gallon propane storage tank.
FAMILIAR PATTERNS Twin brothers Josef and Jan Prasil form the acoustic band Amistat. PHOTO COURTESY OF JOSEF PRASIL
‘We always try not to just play our music, but tell a story’ AMISTAT, COMPRISED OF TWINS JOSEF AND JAN PRASIL, PERFORMS JULY 17 IN WHISTLER
BY DAVID SONG
Amistat to compose the bulk of their own songs with an open tuning approach.
JOSEF PRASIL and his brother Jan have
‘WE DO NOT TAKE IT FOR GRANTED’
always been very close. As twins, they more or less did everything together and music was no exception. Jan picked up the guitar around six years old, and Josef began singing along when he was 10 years of age. Their music, now created under the name Amistat, reflects a shared lifetime forged by a kaleidoscope of cultures. Born in Germany to Australian and Czech parents, including a pro golfer dad who travelled often for sport, the brothers’ formative years in Italy exposed them to Mediterranean influences that continue to resonate in their sound. As young men, their move to the land Down Under broadened their musical perspective even more. The product is a style driven by a rich blend of European and Southern Hemisphere flavours woven together through the duo’s vibrant harmonies and narrative-driven songwriting. “We always try to not just play our music, but tell a story as well, tell people why we do what we do and incorporate them into the live show,” explains Josef. “It’s more so creating an experience where it’s not just about us on stage and people listening, but [rather] we’re all just experiencing something special. “We always try to involve the audience, tell them about why we do what we do and the songs and where they came from. I’d say it’s heavily acousticbased music. We do play with a band as well but it’s a very acoustic sound. Even though there might be drums and a lot of stuff happening, the key elements are the guitar, our two vocals and real instruments.” During their early days busking in Australia, the Prasils listened to a lot of stuff by big names like Cat Stevens and the Bee Gees. However, their single largest influence was British singersongwriter Ben Howard, whose penchant for alternative guitar tunings inspired
Before the COVID-19 pandemic, Amistat usually played small, relatively intimate shows of 50 to 100 guests. Their trajectory began to rise after they moved back to their hometown of Rosenheim, Germany in 2019, and once lockdowns began they poured energy into making online content. By 2022, as restrictions were starting to lift, social media helped the brothers’ music go viral. Last year, they reached a high-water mark of selling more than 30,000 tickets across Europe, the United Kingdom and North America. They feel they got lucky timing-wise, as changing social media algorithms and approaches mean one now has to spend more money to reach a similar number of people as before. “Having started on the streets and never really thinking much of it … we would have probably back then said that selling that amount of tickets and travelling the world would be the dream,” Josef says. “We’re just so grateful that we built such a big fan base and that we got to reach so many people with our music and it resonates. It’s very humbling that we get to do what we do and we’re very grateful … we do not take it for granted that things took off. Just because you’re working hard doesn’t mean you’ll make it.” The Prasils don’t spend as much time together nowadays as before. Life has naturally taken them in somewhat separate directions, with Josef married and expecting to welcome his first child. When they reunite, they do so with intentionality—and that, combined with a mutual love of music, is what keeps their relationship strong. Amistat has never been to Whistler before, but with Josef a self-professed fan of mountains and forests, they eagerly anticipate their first Sea to Sky gig. Catch them live July 17 in Olympic Plaza at 7:30 p.m. DJ Soul Club will be the opening act an hour earlier. Visit whistler.com/events/concerts for more details. n
The applicant has applied for a Temporary Use Permit to allow the placement of an 18,000-gallon skidded propane storage tank at 7506 Pemberton Portage Road, located at 50°19'53.8"N 122°43'37.8"W. The proposed tank would provide propane storage capacity for the purpose of refueling propane trucks for private distribution. The tank would be located on an existing disturbed gravel surface within the site, which is characterized by compact native sand and gravel soils and surrounding industrial land uses. A geotechnical assessment completed for the proposal concluded that the site is suitable for the placement of the propane tank, with no concerns identified related to bearing capacity, settlement, slope stability, or drainage. The proposal does not involve permanent building construction, and the tank would be installed in accordance with applicable safety and engineering requirements. A copy of Temporary Use Permit No. 81 and relevant background documents is available by request. Please email planning@slrd.bc.ca for more information on this application, as well as for any questions or concerns. Squamish-Lillooet Regional District Box 219, 1350 Aster Street, Pemberton, BC, V0N 2L0 P: 604-894-6371 TF: 1-800-298-7753
SLRD.bc.ca
SEA TO SKY
CONTRACTORS
2026/27 Directory
Get Your Business Listed for the 2026/27 Season The Sea to Sky Contractors Directory is back! We offer free listings for all local contractors and trades. Don’t miss out on being part of the region’s go-to resource—simply fill out the form below to claim your spot.
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JULY 17, 2026
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MUSEUM MUSINGS
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FEATHER-LIGHT Lyall Featherstonehaugh paddles the Cheakamus River on May 11, 1980, during a demonstration organized for the Whistler Chamber of Commerce to showcase kayaking opportunities in the Whistler area as part of their May Day celebrations. PHOTO COURTESY OF THE WHISTLER MUSEUM
Kayakers as glacier gaugers BY BRONWYN PREECE LONGTIME WHISTLER kayaker Shawn
Marc Barré 604-783-1345 • marc@peakmasters.ca
www.roofingwhistler.com
Join our lunch club for FREE! Eat 10 lunches and your 11th is FREE!* Come in for lunch Wednesday through Sunday before 3 p.m. to get a stamp on your card. On Wednesday, you get 2 stamps on your card! Located in Whistler’s Creekside, Roland’s Pub is your one stop shop for How good is that?! great food, good friends and the game Children are welcome until 10pm every day. you’ve been looking for. (*Some restrictions apply)
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www.rcbc.ca RECYCLING COUNCIL OF B.C. MEMBER 30 JULY 17, 2026
“Puddles” Hughes left me with an interesting concept: he said he viewed his paddling as a way of “recycling the snow.” In the winter he skis, in the summer, he rides the snowmelt down the rivers— sporting an intimate balance with the hydrological cycle. However, the notion of balance is perhaps, now, better replaced with the term “dance” or “positioning” because, as Hughes has experienced firsthand, over the decades, the waterflow levels and patterns have changed. I was fascinated. The impact of glacial recession on local skiing and snowboarding has garnered attention with the closing of the Horstman Glacier on Blackcomb for summer camps in 2023, however this was the first time I had reason to consider the impact on other, offmountain sports. As the Whistler Museum actively continues to gather oral histories from a generational cross-section of local kayakers, I extended the question to Archer McLeay, a pivotal advocate within and for the paddling community. McLeay is a relative newcomer on the scene, having lived in the Sea to Sky for five years. But he moved here for the kayaking. I asked McLeay if in his handful of years here he had witnessed the impact of glacier recession in the waters. “It’s drastic,” he answered unequivocally. This aligns with Hughes’ deduction that “after 40 years of visually watching this, we’re in some trouble.” McLeay elaborates that, ideally “you get a huge snow base, and that’s what’s traditionally happened … Normally, there’s just a massive amount of snow up here. It all melts pretty consistently throughout the year, and you should get a nice, long season.” But that has been changing. “The Cheakamus has got a way bigger glacial head [basin], so that one tends to flow all year, regardless of what’s happening,” McLeay remarks. Hughes concurs, saying “Cheakamus is pretty safe because it does have a fairly big pack, but no, it’s still shrinking as quickly as everything else.” Hot weather leads to shorter seasons, McLeay adds.
“So if you have a big heat wave, it’ll come through, and then the snow melts a lot faster than the glacial water,” he says. “And then you’ll end up with just glacial melt running for the rest of the year. And so the season’s shorter.” Hughes breaks it down simply: “When you take a big piece of ice and you keep shrinking [it] down, there’s some part of the day when it’s not going to flow as much as it did when the ice is big,” he says. “So what’s happening is there’s a thing that I’ve diagnosed as looping.” Hughes’ concept of looping is based on discovering what the main source of the flow is. His curiosity was sparked after realizing a section of water that he would consistently launch into at 1 p.m. every day only became “attackable” at 4 a.m. He wanted to understand the fluctuation. “Where’s the water really coming from?” he says. “Cause there’s three rivers that feed this, and [according to] the gauges we’re reading, it goes up at midnight and then peaks at four in the morning and then starts dropping and it’s gone by like 11.” He had noticed it going from a “concrete amount of water” to dribbles by August. “I did 31 four-inthe-morning attacks on that to really investigate what was going on.” Observations persist around many of our waterways, bringing a whole new meaning to rapid and rapidly (e)racing. The Callaghan “tends to flow out,” McLeay notes. He speculates, “a few years ago, I imagine there would be a big enough glacier to feed the river, but now it’s just melted.” The Fitzsimmons, too, is affected. “Last couple of years we’re running off the glacier,” Hughes says. He points to its dwindling headwaters. Fitzsimmons Creek feeds the Green River. It also is the source for snowmaking—and that demand is steadily increasing. “Imagine what’s going to happen when this thing really tails out because, man, it’s not that far off,” he says. For kayakers, glaciers are more than distant icefields—they’re the source of every rapid downstream. As the Whistler Museum continues documenting the history of paddling in the Sea to Sky, these oral histories are becoming more than stories about sport. They are records of a landscape changing within a single generation. n
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1 STRIKE A POSE Jacquie McLean of the Whistler Chamber, Katrina Frew and Jess Gray of Nita Lake Lodge, and Erica Ferri of Flashback Photo Booth pose for a photo at the Chamber’s final apres session of the season on July 9. Another round of Chamber Apres events kicks off in September. PHOTO BY JOERN ROHDE / COURTESY OF THE WHISTLER CHAMBER 2 RUFF CLIMB Teebo is all smiles after completing his rocky ascent. PHOTO BY JON PARRIS 3 ROOTS ‘N’ ROCKS John Louden rides his gravel bike along the Sea to Sky trail south of Cheakamus on July 12. PHOTO BY AMIR SHAHRESTANI 4 VANDERHOOF VACATION These Whistler girls went on an adventure to Vanderhoof for its 100th anniversary and to visit their old friend Pina Belperio (second from right). PHOTO COURTESY OF CATHERINE POWER-CHARTRAND 5 BEAUTIFUL GAME A good crowd turned out to watch Norway take on England in World Cup action on July 11. PHOTO BY CLARE OGILVIE
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ENTERTAINMENT LISTINGS & ASTROLOGY MOUNTAIN TOP SUMMER FEAST Head up to the Roundhouse Lodge on Whistler Mountain for an incredible, mountain top dining experience with live music. Enjoy mouthwatering mains, fresh salads and delicious desserts at 1,800 metres (6,000 ft) high in the mountaintops with the whole family. » July 17 to 19, 5:30 to 7 p.m. » Roundhouse Lodge
PIQUE’S GUIDE TO LOCAL EVENTS & NIGHTLIFE Here’s a quick look at some events happening in Whistler this week and beyond. FIND MORE LOCAL EVENT LISTINGS (and submit your own for free!) at piquenewsmagazine.com/local-events
COMMUNITY FOOTBALL WATCH PARTY Watch global football outdoors in Whistler with community viewing parties featuring Whistler Youth Soccer activities, food trucks, face painting, bike valet, and family-friendly fun. Bring a blanket and enjoy the atmosphere. » July 18 and 19, noon to 4 p.m. » Whistler Olympic Plaza
A feast for your senses, the Whistler Farmers’ Market features local produce, tasty food, local artisans, live entertainment and family activities. Markets happen every Sunday until Thanksgiving on Oct. 11, with the addition of select Saturday markets. » July 19, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. » Upper Village Stroll
DISCOVER NATURE AT LOST LAKE
FAIRMONT FRIDAYS AT MALLARD LOUNGE Start your weekend on a high note with Whistler’s favourite Friday tradition. Set against the backdrop of the mountains, Fairmont Fridays bring together handcrafted cocktails, live music and a feature food menu designed for sharing and celebrating the start of the weekend. Each week discover a new signature cocktail alongside specially curated culinary offerings, creating an elevated après experience filled with flavour, atmosphere and a little extra magic. » July 17, 5 to 7 p.m. » Mallard Lounge
WHISTLER FARMERS’ MARKET
This pop-up museum explores Whistler’s unique natural history and includes visual displays with on-site interpreters. Different themes and aspects of Whistler’s natural history are rotated and explored daily from Monday to Friday in July and August. » July 20 to 24, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. » Lost Lake Park
WHISTLER FARMERS’ MARKET OUTDOOR YOGA AT THE AUDAIN Enjoy a relaxing one-hour yoga class surrounded by the stunning architecture of the Audain Art Museum. Focus on breath, movement, and mindfulness, then explore the galleries from 11 AM to 6 PM. Bring your own mat and unwind. » July 18, 10:30 a.m. » Audain Art Museum
GIRLS ON: HIKES Girls On Crew returns with a summer adventure featuring coffee, a group stretch, the Ascent Trail hike and an alpine après. In partnership with Helly Hansen, this feel good day combines movement, mountain views, refreshments and plenty of opportunities to connect, making it the perfect way to spend time outdoors.
» July 18, 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. » Helly Hansen Store
FILE PHOTO
GREEN LAKE BIRD WALK Join the Whistler Naturalists on the third Saturday of the month for a walk to Green Lake and the Fitzsimmons Creek Delta. Open to anyone interested in learning about birds and contributing as a citizen scientist. Connect with experienced birders who are happy to share their knowledge. More information at whistlernaturalists.ca/birding. » July 18, 7 a.m. » Meet just across the highway from Meadow Park at the small parking lot beside the River of Golden Dreams
TEARDROPS ON MY DILDO: VANESSA LARRY MITCHELL Australian comedian Vanessa Larry Mitchell comes to Whistler with her award-winning comedy show. Fabulous, filthy, and laugh-out-loud funny, Vanessa shares her hilarious experiences of parenting, dating, and all things gloriously female. Winner of Best Comedy at the 2022 Newcastle Fringe, this is a night of unforgettable entertainment. » July 22, 8 to 9 p.m. » Maury Young Arts Centre
Free Will Astrology WEEK OF JULY 17 BY ROB BREZSNY ARIES (March 21-April 19): In honour of the intensive
homecoming phase of your astrological cycle, I have homework for you. 1. Make a prediction about how old you will be when you know precisely who you are. 2. Forecast the day when you will look in the mirror and recognize your face as an intricate portrait of every experience you have ever loved. 3. Imagine the dawn when the boundary between your own longing and life’s longing will dissolve, revealing they’ve always been the same current. 4. Predict when your heart will be as wild and free and brave as you have always wanted it to be. TAURUS (April 20-May 20): Ornithologists studying migration know that some birds don’t fly directly to their destination. They follow “leading lines.” These are geographical features like coastlines and mountain ranges that provide orientation. Even when this means taking a longer route, the certainty of having a guiding landmark outweighs the efficiency of a straight line across nondescript terrain. I recommend the birds’ approach to you in the coming weeks, Taurus. Follow your own leading lines: practices and intuitions that provide lucid orientation even when they don’t offer shortcuts. The indirect path offers the surety you need. GEMINI (May 21-June 20): What’s an important truth you keep forgetting about? Maybe it’s a promise you once made to yourself, or an understanding that your younger self knew, or a wisdom your body keeps trying to communicate while your mind ignores it. What truth returns again and again in different guises: through synchronicities, seemingly random comments from friends, recurring dreams, or the same lesson repeating in new situations? What crucial insights about life do you remember during crisis or ecstasy, only to abandon them once normalcy returns? Now is a favourable time to fully recover this lesson and install it firmly at the heart of your life. CANCER (June 21-July 22): Make a list of your five greatest pleasures. These are experiences that stir your
senses, steady your pulse, and remind you why love being alive. Write them down as if they were sacred prayers. Sing a spontaneous song of praise for them. Then set out on a quest to discover pleasure No. 6. This is a delight you have never tasted, touched, or imagined before. Maybe it will come from saying yes to a possibility you usually decline. Treat this experiment as a form of worship and a way to boost your devotion to your healing life force. LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): According to neuroscientists, the “default mode network” is the area of your brain that lights up when you’re daydreaming, drifting through thoughts and feelings, and letting your imagination roam around. This is when your deep self does crucial work: weaving memories into stories, making creative connections, rehearsing possible futures, and forging your sense of identity. I mention this, Leo, because the coming days will be prime time for you to indulge lavishly in this healing and restorative activity. Don’t let a task-obsessed world shame you out of your reveries. Your genius will bloom from their slowly swirling flow. VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Here are three gentle nudges: 1. One of your trusty tools or assets still seems to be working fine, but I suggest you look into the possibility that it will soon need repair. 2. Unless you act proactively to ease the strain on your system, a mini-breakdown could be on the horizon. 3. The monster hiding in your closet is hibernating, which makes this the perfect time to summon an exorcist before it rouses. Here’s the very good news, dear Virgo: Because you are reading this oracle, you are now armed with all you need to stave off turmoil and head in the direction of an exciting renaissance. LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): Researchers who study improvisational jazz have found that master musicians often anticipate each other’s ideas milliseconds before anyone actually plays the notes. Their brains become exquisitely synchronized through deep listening rather than
rigid planning. Maybe more than any other sign, you Libras possess a similar aptitude in managing your intimate alliances and social connections. In the coming weeks, this superpower will be even more necessary and available than usual. I’ll provide a reminder: Pay less attention to what people claim to mean and more attention to the rhythms beneath their words. Let your intuition guide you. The subtly shared timing will generate elegant cooperation. SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): “It’s bad luck to be superstitious!” is a delightful paradox that I enjoy playing with. It makes fun of our tendency to believe that invisible forces are constantly keeping score on our behaviour. On one level, the phrase pokes at the way superstition multiplies anxiety instead of easing it. If you really believed it’s bad luck to be superstitious, then your belief about bad luck would itself be a superstition. So you’d have to avoid the very thinking pattern you’re using to feel safer. It exposes how easily the mind can tie itself in knots trying to control the uncontrollable. On another level, “it’s bad luck to be superstitious” is an invitation to examine which of your little rituals are entertaining and nourishing and which are cages. Keeping a lucky stone in your pocket is fine if it amuses you, but believing you’re doomed if you don’t carry the stone isn’t so fine. My advice: Notice when your charm or taboo is no longer a quirky companion, but starts being a tyrant that shrinks your freedom. SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Are you the type of Sagittarius who pushes open doors with “pull” signs on them? Do you get a secret kick out of opening boxes from the end that says “open other side”? Maybe you even yack on your phone in designated quiet zones. If so, I’d like to suggest channeling your rebellious spark into grander acts. In the weeks ahead, you will be carrying some potent renegade energy. Used wisely, your radiant defiance could topple a stagnant situation that’s overdue for change.
CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Many healers favour the slow-and-steady path. They often meet with people once a week, trusting that even stubborn issues must be unwoven with patience and gentleness. But there are also bold experimenters who work differently. I know an acupuncturist who invites clients to live at her clinic for six days straight, offering a new treatment every two hours during the waking hours. She creates a healing immersion chamber. That’s the spirit I recommend for you in the coming weeks, Capricorn. You’re at the threshold of resolving a long-standing imbalance. What will serve you best isn’t dabbling at it but offering it focused, sustained, wholehearted attention until the shift activates. AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): You can refresh and boost your ambition if you give it a firm, precise adjustment sometime soon. Your raw vitality will surge back if you refrain from indulging in a careless habit that has been draining it. Your willpower and determination have been weakened by the fallout from an old misstep, but you now have the clarity needed to repair that error. Your libidinous energy is not as clear and potent as it could be, but it will become so once you get more honest about what truly excites you. PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): You’re like an arrow that has been shot from a bow and is three-quarters of the way to the target. You’re a delicious meal still simmering on the stove, or a pregnancy at seven months, or the last two weeks before a major election. When I tuned my inner vision to you, I glimpsed a honeybee wriggling a dance to show its coworkers where a stand of blooming lilac awaits. Have you ever been on the verge of speaking a new language with ease? That’s where you are now, Pisces: just before true fluency clicks. Homework: Do a ritual in which you vow to attract more blessings into your life. https://tinyurl.com/ommm777.
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 JULY 17, 2026
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The Museum is currently seeking
Marketing Coordinator Full-time, permanent. $58,500 per year
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Responsible for supporting the Marketing Manager with administration and implementation of all marketing and communications efforts at the Audain Art Museum including social media, content creation, media relations, community marketing, and digital engagement.
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CONSTRUCTION ADMINISTRATOR Support active projects through data
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LEAD HAND – STAIR & STRUCTURAL LAYOUT We’re hiring an experienced Lead Hand Carpenter / Installer specializing in stair systems and structural layout. This role is for someone who can take control of a project—layout, lead the install, and deliver clean, accurate work.
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34 JULY 17, 2026
• Opportunity to take ownership and grow with the company
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2
9 Governance
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Lil’wat Nation
Employment Opportunities
3
7
8 5 Manager of Community Services 9 • General 6 1 8 4 ($127,440.00 to $183,195.00 per year) Referrals Manager ($76,560.00 to $105,270.00 per year) 5•• Housing 4 7 8 2 6 Maintenance Manager ($67,040.00 to $92,180.00 per year) Child & Family 3Services 1 5 • Social Worker ($80,160.00 to $115,230 per year) 7 Health1& Healing + Pqusnalhcw Health Centre 5 1 7 8 • Community Health Nurse ($41.42 to $52.81 per hour) + 4 6 1 3 9 $2.15 hourly premium) 8 2 • Bus Driver ($22.86 to $30.00 per hour) 9 7 • Office Administrative Assistant ($47,120.00 to $61,845.00 4 8 4 per year)1 Community Programs #5
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Aboriginal Supported Child Development Worker
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#6
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$30-$45+ per hour
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Education Assistant ($38,038.00 to $53,599.00 per year)
•
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Bus Driver ($20.90 to $29.45 per hour)
8 3
7 3 9
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HARD
#8
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4/11/2005
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PUZZLES ACROSS 1 6 10 15
18 19 21 22 24 25 26 27 28 29 31 33 35 37 38 39 40 42 43 44 46 47 48 52 53 54 56 57 58 59 60 62 63
Gorge Hawaii’s state bird Ordinary language “-- Works Hard for the Money” Wheel spokes Of cows Typeface Get news of Reversal (Hyph.) Actress -- Seyfried Lessen French river First state (Abbr.) Harangue Strictness Colossus of -Punta del -Yield Walk proudly Big-headed one Brads Lake on California’s border “Runaway --” Smooth and shiny Seized Actor Wilson -Broccoli -Ranting and -Flaxen fabric Place of worship Spring month Watchful Sharp tooth Pamphlet Fully conscious Weathercock Walk on eggshells
65 66 67 68 69 71 73 75 76 77 78 82 84 85 86 87 90 91 93 94 95 97 98 99 100 102 104 105 107 108 109 110 112 113 114 117 118 119 123
Jump Reparations Flightless bird Geller of “Friends” Demonstrate Wild Told tall tales Dir. letters Reject Unmatched Excavates In front Grassy ground Jason’s ship Actor -- Wolff Climbs Baby food Talk on and on Commotion Audio system component Salt water Burden Regional life Samovar Straying Warbling sound Demanded payment from Gusted “Listen!” Stopping device Forest’s guardian Quickly Carroll’s protagonist Meaning Bureaucratic hurdles (2 wds.) Black wood Nuisance Butts Visitors from space
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Goods for sale Multifarious Carpet surface Pentagram Missouri River city Runs off to wed Orange Muppet Cornbread White cliffs locale Gift Wildlife Composer -- Rorem Give way Used to be Mary -- Moore
DOWN 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 19 20 23 30 32 34 36
Lacking refinement Detests Fully grown Knight’s title Flat candy Wanderers Sidestep Baseball team Tip Czech capital Mechanical man -- Khayyam Took a load off Invigorate Certain marble Model -- Klum Facilitates By a small margin Of clay Remainder Sweet topping Golf club Box for carrying bricks Whole
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“For Pete’s --!” Burst forth “-- Misbehavin’” Ballroom dance Bric-a- -Deli meat Road Colors Make dry and cracked “-- -- for All Seasons” Old poet “-- Wide Shut” “Bolero” composer Subsided Tooth part Dalai -Singer -- Apple Difficult Join metal plates Saplings Free oneself Passion In what way Not at all casual Inched Race car driver -Earnhardt Bias Chant Old cloth cover for the ankle Violin name, briefly “Present!” Soap plant Pencil remnant Ringlet English queen Carnation color Similar Vocalist Supporting piece
96 98 101 102 103 104 106 108 109 111 112 113 114 115 116 117
#5
118 120 121 122 124 125 126 130 132 134
Journal Cancel Bangor’s state Javelin Except Small rodent Skillful Miss Piggy’s pronoun Ordinance Sunbeam
LAST WEEK’S ANSWERS
8 6 7
1
HARD
Hard to get Rolls Musical composition Bauble Risque “Divine Comedy” poet Diluted United group of countries Work against Skillet On a train Calm Coarse file Singer -- John Actress -- Keaton Lucy’s friend
3 1
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HARD
#6
Enter a digit from 1 through 9 in each cell, in such a way that: • Each horizontal row contains each digit exactly once • Each vertical column contains each digit exactly once • Each 3x3 box contains each digit exactly once Solving a sudoku puzzle does not require any mathematics; simple logic suffices.
LEVEL OF DIFFICULTY: HARD
1 2
4
6 9 HARD
3 6 2 5
9 8 5
7 4 1 3
3 5 1
6 5 4 2
8 3
7 3 9 5
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3 5 #7
7 4 9 3 1 9
8
8 7
8 6
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2 7 1 8 9 5
6 4 2
HARD Solution, tips and computer program at www.sudoku.com# 8
ANSWERS ON PAGE 35
36 JULY 17, 2026
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PIQUE’N YER INTEREST
The fractured truth “A-LINE,” I told my teenaged students
when they asked about the cast on my right hand. “The new part.” F— tilted her head like I was speaking another language. C— squinted his eyes in disbelief. These are kids accustomed to injuries. Broken collarbones, sprained wrists and concussions are as common
BY KATHERINE FAWCETT as colds among Whistler’s young skiers, boarders and mountain-bikers. They looked at my cast with something approaching respect. Of course, kids are tough, resilient little daredevils. Could it be that their music teacher was secretly a resilient little daredevil as well? A-line, so I’d been told by someone who was intimate with the Whistler Mountain Bike Park and felt the story of how I’d actually fractured my hand was far too boring, is a quintessential downhill trail. It’s long and fast, featuring berms, jumps, tabletops, rock drops and other nasty things. I’ve been part of the Whistler community for nearly 20 years, and had never heard of it. “You crashed on A-Line?” they both said, looking me up and down. Their eyes grew wide. I may as well have just told them there were sharks in Alta Lake. “Yup. I cased a jump.” I had no idea what “casing a jump” meant. I thought it was when you sort of check out the landing. Inspect it. Maybe get out a tape measure to make sure it’s safe. Teens eventually know when they’re being lied to. These ones looked relieved when I told them the truth: that I’d tripped (on what—air? My own feet? An irregularity in the lawn?) and landed,
GET WELL SOON Sorry, no housework for me. AMIR SHAHRESTANI / ADOBE AI
38 JULY 17, 2026
hand-first, on the concrete step to my townhouse. All without dropping my mason jar of lemon/ginger/honey tea. Their universe restored itself to the way they’d known it, reassured that their middle-aged music teacher was not a shredder of gnar, but simply clumsy. A few days earlier, the nurse at the Whistler Medical Clinic talked to me about strength training and balance and hormone replacement therapy. “At our age, it’s so important to do what we can to decrease the rate of bone loss,” he said, noting that we were both born in 1967. (“Six-seh-ven!” my student would shout and nod. “Yeah, Ms. Fawcett!” Does the fact that my birth year coincided with an irritating meme boost my street cred? More importantly, why do I care about my level of street cred with the acne-andbraces set?) As the nurse skilfully built a cast around my hand to protect the fractured metacarpal, I catalogued the things I wouldn’t be able to do during this final—always crazy—week of school. Some I’d been looking forward to; others
They wrote sweet messages and drew dirty pictures on her cast. People fawned over her. Poor thing! Get well soon! Let us know if you need anything! Rehearsals went ahead without me. Concerts and recitals, the students shone. Buskers raised more than $200 for the Squamish Food Bank. And they did it all without me. Autocorrect had a heyday with everything I wrote. And my partner did more than step up. I made such a mess when I tried to do anything in the kitchen, it wasn’t long before I was banished. He even did my hair for me. You try tying your hair into a cute bun with only one hand! The cast was irritating, but I’d upscaled the original one to a pricey custom brace made at Lifemark in Whistler. It was very comfortable and I could take it off for short periods to shower, or just take a break. “Just don’t take it off and make dinner,” warned the nurse. He needn’t have worried. I went back to the hospital for a follow-up X-ray about 10 days later,
As the nurse skilfully built a cast around my hand to protect the fractured metacarpal, I catalogued the things I wouldn’t be able to do…
I’d been dreading. Final rehearsals with students. Recitals. Concerts. Busking with a group of young fiddlers. I’d have to type with my left hand and right thumb to meet deadlines for writing projects and report cards. “Sorry, no housework for me,” I told my partner. “You’re going to have to step up.” Couldn’t really argue with a fractured metacarpal, could you? I’d never had a cast before, and I remember the complicated jealousy I felt when my sister had a plaster one on her arm. Everyone signed it, in Jiffy Marker.
to ensure the bone was aligned and healing properly. “How’s it feeling?” asked a doctor I hadn’t seen the first time I went in. She squeezed and pressed. I made a face. “Tender, but not terrible,” I said. Then she delivered the devastating news. They couldn’t find a fracture. Apparently my injury had been misdiagnosed earlier. “Sorry, are you saying it’s not broken?” I could hear someone moaning from behind a nearby curtain. Someone else was wheeled by in a wheelchair, their leg raspberry-skinned.
“That’s right. Lucky you.” I wiggled my fingers like they didn’t quite belong to me. Like my hand had duped me; made me feel like I needed rescuing. “Could it be I have kind of a super-human healing power?” I asked hopefully. “Like Wolverine?” “Yeah, probably not. X-rays can be hard to read. But it’s definitely not broken.” I was told that if I wanted to, I could continue to wear the cast to support and protect my hand—at least I had some soft tissue damage! “Just let pain be your guide,” she said and pleasantly explained how to find my way out. Apparently I could’ve done a dish or two after all. “You lie about it, that’s what!” said my friend S— when I asked her what I should do. I was supposed to play violin in a concert on the Wednesday night, but had bought a last-minute ticket to Bonnie Raitt instead. “You go see Bonnie Raitt, and you keep your mouth shut!” she said, matching my first instinct. I wore the cast for another day or two, in public anyhow. I didn’t jump back into rehearsals right away. I let some of my writing commitments slide. Eventually though, I really did want to go back to the gym. I wanted to attend a bluegrass festival, where I knew there would be fiddle jams. I was sick of having my hand cocked in that awkward position, all for what? Because I was too sheepish to admit that I was no longer entitled to take a break? Because I thought people would think I was faking something to get out of my obligations? When I eventually fessed up, no one really cared. Most people hadn’t noticed my cast in the first place. Those who had were happy that I felt better, then asked if I’d seen the weather forecast. I continue to take my supplements. I keep up with the HRT. I do my exercises. And I keep my Lifemark brace in a handy place just in case I ever forget that I don’t need a doctor’s note to slow down a little. Katherine Fawcett is a Squamish-based author, playwright and musician who wishes there were more calcium and vitamin D in salt ‘n’ vinegar chips. n
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