Pique Newsmagazine 3103

JANUARY 19, 2024 ISSUE 31.03

WWW.PIQUENEWSMAGAZINE.COM

FREE

TOURING BUDDIES

r o f m o o r g n i Mak ain

everyone o he mount nt

14

ON A ROLL RMOW’s Q3 financials reflect tourism rebound

15

STAY SAFE WSAR urges caution in the backcountry

32

SNOWFALL WARNING Snowed In Comedy Tour returns Jan. 24

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THIS WEEK IN PIQUE

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26 Out and in Making room for everyone on the mountain. - ByAdelaide Tiller

14 ON A ROLL

The Resort Municipality of Whistler’s Q3 fi-

22 TAXI TROUBLES

Residents in Mount Currie and

nancial update presented to council this month shows a tourism economy

Pemberton say they feel stranded due to a lack of transportation options

on the rebound.

in the area.

15 STAY SAFE

Fresh snow brings the keeners, but Whis-

tler Search and Rescue is urging caution in the backcountry.

28 PODIUM PURSUIT

Whistler Mountain Ski

Club alum Cameron Alexander is riding high after a World Cup bronze in Bormio, Italy.

18 COLD FRONT

The Whistler Community Services

Society was able to expand capacity at its extreme cold weather shelter to

32 SNOWFALL WARNING

edy Tour, now entering its 15th year, returns to Whistler Jan. 24.

meet demand as temperatures plummeted.

COVER Remember when skiers and snowboarders couldn’t even get along? - By Jon Parris // @jon.parris.art 4 JANUARY 19, 2024

The Snowed In Com-

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PH: (604) 938-0202 FAX: (604) 938-0201 www.piquenewsmagazine.com

Publisher SARAH STROTHER - sstrother@piquenewsmagazine.com Editor BRADEN DUPUIS - bdupuis@piquenewsmagazine.com Sales Manager SUSAN HUTCHINSON - shutchinson@piquenewsmagazine.com Production Manager AMIR SHAHRESTANI - ashahrestani@piquenewsmagazine.com Art Director JON PARRIS - jparris@piquenewsmagazine.com Advertising Representatives TESSA SWEENEY - tsweeney@wplpmedia.com GEORGIA BUTLER - gbutler@wplpmedia.com Digital/Sales Coordinator KATIE DOUGLAS - kbechtel@wplpmedia.com Production - production@piquenewsmagazine.com Arts Editor ALYSSA NOEL - arts@piquenewsmagazine.com Reporters SCOTT TIBBALLS - stibballs@piquenewsmagazine.com RÓISÍN CULLEN - rcullen@piquenewsmagazine.com DAVID SONG - sports@piquenewsmagazine.com ALYSSA NOEL - arts@piquenewsmagazine.com Classifieds and Reception - mail@piquenewsmagazine.com Office and Accounts Manager HEIDI RODE - hrode@wplpmedia.com Contributors G.D. MAXWELL, GLENDA BARTOSH, LESLIE ANTHONY, ANDREW MITCHELL,

NEW

NEW

THIS WEEK IN PIQUE

Weekend Forec Ins

SEE PAGE 36 >>

Weekend Forecast Inside

Opinion & Columns 08 OPENING REMARKS

In which an elusive and mysterious illness inspires editor Braden Dupuis

to check in on health-care in Whistler.

10 LETTERS TO THE EDITOR This week’s letter writers advocate for the Resort Municipality of Whistler to reverse course on hiking BOV fees, and re-up the call to protect Whistler’s pups from drugs.

13 PIQUE’N YER INTEREST While some New Year’s resolutions are no doubt foolish, there are also wise ways to bring about positive change, writes David Song.

46 MAXED OUT As Max contemplates the upcoming U.S. presidential election, the opening riff to a Judas Priest classic inexplicably comes to mind.

Environment & Adventure

24 THE OUTSIDER With winter making its triumphant return to Whistler, Vince Shuley offers up some helpful weather-watching resources.

Lifestyle & Arts

30 EPICURIOUS Introducing Provisions, Toptable Group’s latest contribution to Whistler’s food scene.

36 MUSEUM MUSINGS Tracing the history of Sunday shopping in Whistler.

ALISON TAYLOR, VINCE SHULEY Founding Publishers KATHY & BOB BARNETT Pique Newsmagazine (a publication of Pacific Coastal Publishing Limited Partnership, a division of Glacier Media) distributed to over 150 locations from Squamish to D’arcy.

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S w i m . A c t i v e . L i f e s t y l e - Vo t e d W h i s t l e r ’s F a v o u r i t e C l o t h i n g S t o r e

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OPENING REMARKS

Sick and tired in Whistler AS THE OLD year melted into the new, and the snow and cold arrived at last, an elusive and mysterious illness made its home deep inside my body.

Soon, the days and nights all rolled into one incomprehensible sludge of work and sleep, and the concepts of day and night, exercise and fresh air, became utterly meaningless.

BY BRADEN DUPUIS After several days in purgatory, a visitor broached my sick den with a dog, and informed me the small pup could barely make it to my door for all the snow.

I did a slow count on my fingers, and realized it had been four days since I opened the door to the outside world. I was only vaguely aware of winter’s revenge outside— more so of how little it affected me and my life plans in my current state.

It’s funny, but maybe not in a comical way, how we take our health for granted until it’s gone.

I may have been lonely, but I was far from alone in my new year affliction—around the same time I was huddled over a laptop in my living room, producing last week’s Pique in a cold sweat with a big fuzzy blanket wrapped around my shoulders, B.C.’s health minister Adrian Dix and provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry were speaking at a press conference in Vancouver.

At the press conference, Henry and Dix said B.C. broke provincial hospitalization records the week prior, with 10,435 people in hospital as COVID and flu season peaked.

The previous record, 10,260, was set Jan. 4 last year.

Dix and Henry said cases of Influenza A and respiratory syncytial virus, or RSV, have been “steadily increasing over the last few weeks.”

“We’re not out of the woods yet, and we will continue to see high rates of influenza and RSV for the next few weeks,” Henry said.

As for COVID, cases were declining, but increased over the holidays, particularly in adults, Henry said, adding that as of early January, 219 people were in hospital with COVID and 26 people were in intensive care.

B.C. no longer tests for or tracks COVID-19 to the degree it did during the height of the pandemic. According to Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH), testing is only recommended when a positive or negative result will inform decisions about treatment or care—for example, people at risk of more severe disease,

and wastewater data, which combined, provide a very good picture of transmission rates throughout the province. However, please note this data cannot be compared to case numbers collected in 2020, 2021, and 2022.”

Like the rest of the country, Whistler is seeing an increase in upper respiratory tract illness, influenza-like illness, COVID, and group-A strep infections, said Dr. Karin Kausky, vice chair of the Whistler 360 Health Collaborative Society, in an email.

“Also, interestingly, we’re seeing a lot of people with prolonged viral illness that are contracting secondary bacterial infections in the second, third week of illness. Plus, all the usual injuries of the season, and—in the last few days—cold-related injuries,” Kausky said.

Whistler’s younger population, relatively speaking, means it is less likely to require hospital resources, and the advice for most

starting 2024 on a positive, health-care wise, with the news that Creekside Health added four new family physicians last year, with two more on the way.

Whistler 360, meanwhile, is adding another doctor of its own next month, bringing its total to 11 (full-time equivalent).

“We have connected over 2,000 patients with a provider, and are actively connecting more. In 2023, we had over 38,000 appointments (both attached and unattached patients), which was a 31-per-cent increase over 2022,” said W360 chair Carol Leacy, in an email.

But the local health-care non-profit is getting tight on space, Leacy added.

“We are working on changing our work practices and extending hours to try to fit more providers in,” she said. “We would love to make some progress on team-based care (i.e. adding a nurse into practice), but lack of clinic

“Don’t hesitate to seek care if you need it—I think the overcrowding media headlines are putting some people off seeking care when they should be seeking care.”

- DR. KARIN KAUSKY

people who are hospitalized, or people who are pregnant.

“Most people are not tested for respiratory symptoms, therefore, we don’t have case numbers as we did in earlier phases of the pandemic,” a VCH spokesperson said.

“The BCCDC continues to do disease surveillance via several methods, including lab results from the groups mentioned above,

is to stay home and rest if they are sick, Kausky said—but if you are really unwell, or your condition is worsening, “please come in,” she said.

“Don’t hesitate to seek care if you need it—I think the overcrowding media headlines are putting some people off seeking care when they should be seeking care.”

In a more general sense, Whistler is

Incredible opportunity to own a lakeside condo in the highly sought-after Green Lake Estates neighborhood. Unit #303 in the prestigious Nicklaus North Clubhouse is one of only six units with breathtaking views of Green Lake, the 16th tee box, and the majestic surrounding mountains.

Direct access to biking, hiking, Nordic skiing, paddle boarding, and more. World-class golf course, renowned lakeside eatery, and float plane dock nearby. GST exempt, nightly rental zoning.

space is going to be a challenge with that.”

W360 is still taking on new patients, so anyone still in need of a family doctor in Whistler should sign up for the patient registry at whistler360health.org.

The non-profit also encourages existing patients to sign up for the new online patient portal, where they can book appointments, get test results, and find other info. ■

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LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Whistler council should reverse course on massive fee hike I’m writing in opposition to the Resort Municipality of Whistler’s proposed 400-percent increase to Whistler’s Board of Variance (BOV) process, from $800 to $4,000, as reported by Pique (“RMOW updates fees for minor bylaw variances,” Dec. 29, 2023), which is set to be adopted by council at the next regular council meeting on Jan. 23.

The BOV fee was last increased from $340 to $800 eight years ago in January 2016.

The staff report presented to council in 2016 included a comprehensive “fee comparison with other municipalities” appendix to support the $460 fee increase at that time, yet the 2023 report contains no such comparison. If it did, council may have questioned why Whistler requires a $4,000 BOV application fee when BOV application fees are currently only $400 in Pemberton, $500 in Squamish, $420 in the City of North Vancouver, $509 in the District of North Vancouver, and $830 in West Vancouver.

I struggle to believe all other municipalities simply rely on general taxpayer subsidies to keep their application costs lower.

Whistler’s proposed changes to our BOV bylaw are in stark contrast to other municipalities, not only in application fee price, but also in refund policy and processing time—Whistler will now offer only a 25-per-

cent refund if the application is withdrawn prior to public notice going out, while the three Vancouver municipalities offer a 50-per-cent refund if the application is withdrawn after your neighbours are notified but before the public hearing. The 35-day “self-imposed” processing time which Whistler will also remove is also standard at the municipalities listed above, with the District of North Vancouver requiring only 12 days notice to file a BOV application prior to the next scheduled hearing.

When questioned about the fee increase

by Councillor Jeff Murl last month, staff told council the current BOV fee was already “way out of line” (i.e. not increased enough) when it was raised in January 2016. However, the staff report presented on Jan. 12, 2016 is very clear that the previous BOV increase was made “to reflect the estimated average costs associated with application review and processing and accounts for both administrative staff and planners,” and “administrative staff time includes preparation of notices, delivery of notices, compiling and distributing board

packages, attending board meetings, minute taking, decision letter and filing. Planner staff time includes review of application materials, referral to affected municipal departments, site visits, correspondence/meeting with applicants, preparing board memos and attending board meetings.”

That’s a very comprehensive list of previously included costs. If we take at face value that the actual true cost for an application is now $4,000 when inflation and all staff time from other municipal departments is included, the answer to the most important question, “why is the cost so high?” is not answered in the current staff report, which contains no cost breakdown of how the proposed $4,000 fee was calculated.

How can a 16-page development variance permit application form cost the RMOW $3,500 to administer using only paid staff, while a four-page BOV application form costs $500 more when the BOV board is comprised of volunteers? I believe the proposed BOV bylaw is intended to discourage applicants from using the BOV altogether, and is in effect intended to subvert the B.C. Local Government Act, which mandates that a BOV process be provided as an alternative to applying for a development variance permit.

The massive BOV fee increase is being touted as a “user-pay, cost recovery” initiative, but there were only three applications presented at BOV hearings in 2023, and an average of only 4.3 per year over the past three

WHISTLER · PEMBERTON · SQUAMISH Green Lake Estate

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• Short drive to Rainbow shops and Whistler Village

• No one above, sec pkg + storage locker

3.5 BED | 5 BATH | 3,497 SQFT

MARSHALL VINER

Personal Real Estate Corporation marshall@marshallviner.com

604-935-2287

LOCAL EXPERTS 10 JANUARY 19, 2024

LISA ASHCROFT

Realtor lashcroft@sutton.com

604-905-8912

suttonwestcoast.com

DARIN JOSEPH

Realtor darin@darinjoseph.com

604-849-2656

JENNIFER SALE

Personal Real Estate Corporation js@jennifersale.com

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NATIONWIDE EXPOSURE

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR 2281 Brandywine years. The current BOV system isn’t a large problem or burden to the general taxpayer by any means. General municipal taxes were raised by 8.4 per cent in 2023, and are slated to rise another 8.31 per cent in 2024, so there is no public evidence available that demonstrates the new land-use procedures and fees bylaw, implemented in October 2022, which the new BOV bylaw and fee is supposed to align with, is in fact shouldering planning and administration costs.

I respectfully request that mayor and council decline to adopt the proposed BOV bylaw, and I encourage people to express their opinions on this topic to council prior to the meeting on Tuesday, Jan. 23.

Eric Callender // Whistler

Let’s reactivate rail in the Sea to Sky “Visions of Whistler’s Future,” by G.D. Maxwell (Pique, Jan. 5), reminds us that one third of residents already commute to work. I didn’t come up to work, but I came by hybrid vehicle.

I am the one who has to change.

But Max also knows we travel along and sometimes cross a very functional railway, and I wish he’d listed the railway as one of our dedicated transit lanes. We built and paid for it, and used to ride it. We just need to reclaim it.

One way to rebuild and reactivate our railway (remember BC Rail?) is to electrify it. It might seem a daunting project, but remember what “we” paid to build the new (pre-Olympic) road, and we have the electricity at Shalath right on the railway.

Let’s form a “Passenger Rail Working Group.” If you are interested or knowledgeable,

please contact me at randerson@sfu.ca. We could appoint Max as Ironist in Chief. He is often our best reminder that some of our near future lies in our recent past.

Bob Anderson // Whistler

3 bedroom and den home with a 2 bedroom rental suite Mountain views.

$2,499,000

Protect Whistler’s pups: No. 2 To add to Madalina Motoc’s excellent letter to remind forest users to be careful with their THC products and other drugs (Pique, Jan. 12), may I take this opportunity to talk about “No. 2”? It has come to my attention, since my daughter now owns a beautiful pup, that sometimes these canines choose to eat human feces (can’t imagine why)! Unfortunately, and quite unbelievably, her dog has been high several times and cost her a lot of worry and money.

During the first trip to the veterinarian, through bloodwork, it was discovered the poor doggie had THC, meth, cocaine, and other drugs in his system. He was fine, but it wasn’t the last time he was to get high.

I know what you’re going to say: “leash the dog.” Even leashed, it doesn’t take more than a couple seconds for a dog to sniff out and chomp on things it shouldn’t, and let’s be real, there are lots of places in Whistler where we feel pretty free to take our dogs off-leash.

So I guess the point is (and I get it, sometimes you just have to take a nature dump), the right thing is to do a good job of burying it. At least that will give the dog owner enough time to redirect and give the pooch a more nourishing treat. Worst-case scenario, carry your own doggy/human poop bags. It’s especially easy to do in the snow! Let’s take care of all our furry friends!

Shelley Ledingham // Whistler ■

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Backcountry Update AS OF WEDNESDAY, JAN. 17

The recent extreme cold temperatures and high winds created two new snowpack challenges.

The first challenge is a new potential weak layer. During last week’s cold snap, the frigid arctic air drew moisture from snow crystals near the surface, leaving behind small, sugary crystals known as facets. These faceted crystals are concerning because they struggle to bond with new snow.

The second significant challenge involves extensive wind-affected surfaces at treeline and alpine elevations. The cold, northerly winds loaded snow onto south-facing slopes, reaching much farther down slopes than the typical mild southwest winds. In the short term, these wind-affected surfaces could become an ideal sliding surface for the faceted snow once buried.

Since last Wednesday, the wind-affected and faceted surfaces have been buried under small amounts of new snow. As additional

snow accumulates over this new layer and consolidates into a cohesive slab, there is a chance we will see an increase in avalanche activity. The challenge lies in predicting when we will get enough snow to tip the balance and wake up this weak layer, or if we’ll see a more ideal situation where the facets will eventually bond to the surrounding snow. Given the relatively light snow forecast over the coming days, the situation may be more complex than we would hope.

If you’re heading out this weekend, expect to find scoured snow surfaces and wind-affected areas. Keep in mind new snow may now be hiding wind-affected features that were visible earlier this week. Seek out sheltered areas for the best riding conditions. Be aware of triggering loose, dry avalanches in steeper terrain.

As always, be sure to track the forecasts and advice at avalanche.ca to get the most up-to-date information before heading out for the weekend. ■

CONDITIONS MAY VARY AND CAN CHANGE RAPIDLY Check for the most current conditions before heading out into the backcountry. Daily updates for the areas adjacent to Whistler Blackcomb are available at 604-938-7676, or surf to www.whistlerblackcomb.com/mountain-info/ snow-report#backcountry or go to www.avalanche.ca.

2009 Alpha Lake Village, Creekside $1,999,999

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Throughout the 3 floors and 1,826 sq/ft of living space you will find 3 bedrooms, which includes a spacious primary suite, 2.5 bathrooms & stunning mountain views that are visible from all areas within the property!

Located a short walking distance to the fantastic offerings of Whistler Creekside. This is absolutely a property that you will want to see and not miss out on as Alpha Lake Village properties do not often come on the market and are always highly sought after - this is the place to be!

Learn more at maggithornhill.evrealestate.com MAGGI THORNHILL PREC* · ENGEL & VÖLKERS WHISTLER 4314 Main Street | Suite 36 | Whistler | BC V8E 1A8 0 +1-604-932-1875 | M +1-604-905-8199 maggi.thornhill@evrealestate.com *Personal Real Estate Corporation

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NICKLAUS NORTH TOWNHOUSE AT ENGLEWOOD GREEN!

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Beautifully renovated 3-bedroom townhome boasts 2.5 bathrooms, a media room, and a cozy gas fireplace embracing comfort and style.

This property features a private hot tub, Covered front deck and a 2-car garage. Englewood Green benefits from Tourist Accommodation zoning, permitting nightly rentals.

Dave Beattie

$2,770,000.00

WHAT? The SLRD is looking for interested residents of Pemberton and Electoral Area C to serve on the SLRD Electoral Area C Agricultural Advisory Committee (AAC).

Dave Beattie & Associates

604-905-8855 1-888-689-0070 Dave@DaveBeattie.com

Search available homes in the Whistler and Sea to Sky Country area at www.DaveBeattie.com

WHO? Anyone with an interest or expertise in agriculture and related matters is welcome to apply. Applicants should: • •

Nick Davies, Whistler local and experienced family lawyer practising across BC and Yukon.

Call at 604-602-9000 or visit www.macleanlaw.ca

• • •

HOW? Application forms can be obtained on the SLRD website, or by ���������� ��� ���� ������� ������ ������ ���� ����������� �� ����� than 5pm on ������� ����� ����.

Maclean Law is headquartered in Vancouver with offices across British Columbia.

6144 EAGLE DRIVE WHISTLER CAY HEIGHTS

For additional information please contact: ���� ������, Planne� Squamish-Lillooet Regional District Tel: 604-894-6371, ext. 2�� E-mail: ��������slrd.bc.ca

NEW PRICE

FOR SALE

$3,299,000

$2,825,000

5

4

SQFT: 3,247

Be a land owner and/or permanent resident of Electoral Area C or Pemberton Have an interest in preserving the viability of farming in the Pemberton Valley and surrounding area Be from the farming and ranching community (optional) Posess a clear understanding and knowledge of topics affecting agricultural land Be available to commit to roughly 4-6 meetings per year, for a one year or two year term

2.5

25-2250 NORDIC DRIVE WHISTLER

9199 EMERALD DRIVE WHISTLER

FOR SALE SALE FOR

$2,995,000 2.5

SQFT: 1,560

3

2.5

SQFT: 2,417

• Prime Building lot

• Freshly renovated townhouse in sought-after Taluswood

• Main living area opens to a large patio and huge flat yard

• Plans and Permits in place

• Ski right home to your heated garage this winter

• Private primary bedroom on whole top floor

• Build your own Whistler retreat

• Wood-burning fireplace, new appliances, fully furnished

• Vaulted ceilings, views of Wedge and Armchair Mountains

• Walk to everything

• Your perfect Whistler retreat or zoned for nightly rentals

• Short walk to Green Lake and 8 min drive to the Village

12 JANUARY 19, 2024

JOSH CRANE

NICK SOLDAN HARRISS

SADIE BRUBAKER

604 902 6106

604 902 0091

604 907 1400

josh@joshcrane.ca

nick@nicksoldanharriss.com

sadie@sadiebrubaker.com

*PREC

PIQUE N’ YER INTEREST

New Year’s resolutions don’t have to be a joke WE’VE ENTERED that classic time of year when scores of people declare they’re going to change their lives somehow. Eating less dessert, drinking less alcohol, working out more (or at all)... the examples are endless.

Yet, much like baby sea turtles labouring daringly towards the ocean, most New Year’s resolutions don’t last. They meet a pitiful end weeks or even days after they were first

BY DAVID SONG dsong@piquenewsmagazine.com

made, snapped up by the distractions of life or stonewalled by a waning sense of motivation.

That’s human nature, for you.

Finding comfort within our old habits is easy, while forging new habits is hard.

This reality, in turn, creates a palpable sense of cynicism around the idea of a “New Year’s resolution.” Experienced gym-goers roll their eyes at the sight of neophytes using their favourite machines, telling themselves they won’t have to put up with these rookies for long. People don’t always respond to your aspirations with support: some might be overtly dismissive, while others may express skepticism behind your back.

Such feelings are understandable, but perhaps they shouldn’t be our knee-jerk or

dominant reaction when someone—especially a friend or family member—tells us about their newfound goal. That’s because some resolutions actually work out, if they are approached wisely.

Take myself, for example. I’ve always had an inconsistent relationship with fitness, because I’ve never been an athlete and I never truly liked exercise. Going to the gym to do repetitive movements by myself is not

professional fighters, for example: the technical striking mastery of Rico Verhoeven, the onepunch knockout power of Francis Ngannou, or the immaculately well-rounded skills Georges St. Pierre displayed throughout his Hall of Fame career. It was my hope to translate this theoretical interest into practical action.

I walked into my first trial class at Mountain Jiu-Jitsu in September, so this isn’t technically a New Year’s resolution.

I’ve never been an athlete and I never truly liked exercise. Going to the gym to do repetitive movements by myself is not appealing… appealing, and there are many things I’d rather spend time on. Nonetheless, I realized a sedentary lifestyle is unhealthy, so I began to seek out a new sport—something that would get my heart rate up whilst being at least somewhat fun.

So I took up kickboxing. (Not cardio kickboxing, but the actual martial art itself).

As a sports fan, kickboxing and MMA fall well within my purview of interests. I’ve long admired the combat and athletic abilities of

It is, however, something I’ve remained consistent with, and something I intend to keep training in.

As an aside: if I ever have kids, the one activity I would for sure enrol them in is martial arts. Every sport has the potential to develop strong and healthy people, but I think martial arts are unique in their ability to instil discipline, self-control, and confidence in the right things for the right reasons. There are many misconceptions about fighting,

and learning to debunk those myths while building oneself up physically and mentally is a valuable process.

I’ve always been the smallest guy in any given room, and a man like St. Pierre has more athletic talent in one finger than I have in my whole body. Yet four-odd months of beginner kickboxing classes have already made me more confident and physically fit than before. I’ve a long way to go, but at least I started.

And that’s the thing about trying to pick up a new habit: measured and realistic wins the day. Lots of folks make the mistake of setting needlessly lofty goals without achievable milestones to get them there, which is why many New Year’s resolutions fail. I didn’t expect to transform into an action hero or make my pro kickboxing debut within a year—instead I just committed to two classes per week. As my skills grow, so too does my enjoyment of the sport.

That brings me to my last point: find what works for you. Yes, there are some things in life we have to do, but there are also multiple ways to reach the same endpoint. Skiing is great for many (and I might still try it), but I didn’t want to just pick up an activity because everyone else likes it. Rather, I wanted to do something I found interesting, and my only competition is myself.

There are definitely foolish ways to go about a New Year’s resolution, but there are also wise ways that bring positive change. Let’s focus on the latter in 2024. n

SNOWMOBILE Backcountry Tours

604 938 1616

CANADIANWILDERNESS.COM JANUARY 19, 2024

13

NEWS WHISTLER

Let the good times roll? RMOW benefits from healthy tourism sector RMOW SHARES UNAUDITED THIRD QUARTER NUMBERS FOR 2023

BY SCOTT TIBBALLS THE RESORT MUNICIPALITY of Whistler (RMOW) is seeing some smooth sailing financially, with operating revenues at 112 per cent of budgeted amounts at the end of the third quarter of 2023, and operating expenditures at 98 per cent.

In a presentation to council on Jan. 9, the RMOW’s chief financial officer, Carlee Price, shared the preliminary, unaudited numbers for the municipality up to Sept.

30, 2023, and said Whistler’s economy was doing well, which was translating into revenues for the RMOW. “[The] third quarter was a continuation of healthy activities in the local economy,” she said.

“This is true both for the tourism economy, which has been the case for several quarters now including the post-pandemic period, and also becoming increasingly true for activity in the local community.”

Price said revenues for the RMOW were reflecting the rosy outlook for the tourism sector.

“The tourism sector [showed] continued strength from the first half into the third quarter. Revenues from both RMI and MRDT

STROLLING ALONG Tourism business picked up in Whistler Village in 2023, according to the Resort Municipality of Whistler.

PHOTO BY ASCENTXMEDIA / ISTOCK / GETTY IMAGES PLUS

14 JANUARY 19, 2024

(driven by overnight hotel stays) were strong, as well as day skier parking. which is driven by day visitors, primarily to the mountain in the summer and winter.”

The poor start to the 23-24 ski season put a slight damper on that, however.

“There were some signs of weakness in the fourth quarter driven not in small part by the conditions on the mountain; however, we don’t believe at this time that those weaknesses are likely to derail the entire year,” Price said.

of 2023—according to the staff report, the building department generated revenues that were 65 per cent ahead of levels for the same period in 2022.

“Included in 2023 amounts are a number of individual high-value permits, which tend to be very intermittent through the years,” reads the report. “The demand for building permits currently outstrips the capacity of existing Building Department staff, and the 2024 budget includes significant planned growth for this department. This growth is

“The tourism sector [showed] continued strength from the first half into the third quarter.”

- CARLEE PRICE

Besides those visitor-driven revenues, Price also noted there were indicators community activity was also gaining steam, with increased visits to the Meadow Park Sports Centre (proven by increased revenues from user fees), and increased transit ridership, which has been on the rise since the first half of the year, and is expected to continue going up.

Another indicator of a healthy economic landscape was how busy the building department was in the first nine months

expected to ease wait times and improve overall service delivery, with full costs of implementation for the expanded department expected to be paid by permit applicants.”

In her presentation, Price said operating expenditures for the RMOW were tracking within expectations, within five per cent of what each department was budgeted, but she noted some expenses would trend higher with higher revenues, such as bank processing fees associated with parking revenues, and solid waste fees from removing more garbage from

the community.

Looking at projects, Price said project delivery was accelerating at the end of Q3.

“This has been a goal of the organization for a few quarters now, if not years. The goal here is to deliver important capital projects to the community in a way that aligns with what we describe in the budget,” she said.

“Third-quarter project spending for the RMOW was quite strong—this is true when measured in dollars and also true when measured in per cent complete.”

In the first nine months of 2023, the RMOW spent $21.4 million on its various endeavours, which include three multi-year, multi-milliondollar projects: the Public Safety Building (including the Annex trailer), Rainbow Park, and the South Whistler Water supply project.

All three are expected to continue into 2024.

Price also highlighted good progress on wastewater infrastructure spending, with the total amount spent on what is a six-year project plan getting close to $50 million worth of investment and upgrades.

Finally, Price noted the RMOW’s investment portfolio was benefiting from high interest rates, with 90 per cent of investment income credited into reserves. She added, however, that with the Bank of Canada considering rate cuts, the RMOW could see lower returns in 2024 if it follows through.

In the first nine months of 2023, the RMOW benefited from $3,253,577 in investment income.

The full third-quarter financial report can be read on the RMOW website. n

NEWS WHISTLER

Fresh snow brings the keeners; stay sharp outdoors: WSAR, Patrol THE RECENT SNOWFALL HAS WHISTLER UP TO WHERE IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN IN OCTOBER

BY SCOTT TIBBALLS POOR

WINTER

No doubt that this end unit has THE best location in this small well cared for complex. Set on the Benchlands, ski-in to your 3 bed/2 bath beautifully renovated 1212sq ft unit.

Lots of windows with light flowing in. Zoned for unlimited nightly rentals. Underground parking space and bike storage.

2 decks. Hot-tub on lower deck offering outstanding views of both Sproatt and Rainbow Mountains.

Call today for your viewing:

Price$2,569,000

LISA JOHNSON

CONDITIONS

are done with—at least on the surface—for the Whistler community.

After months of warmer-than-average temperatures and low precipitation, Whistler now has the snowpack… of three months ago.

“If you look at our snowpack in the alpine right now, it is what we would typically have in late October,” said Whistler Search and Rescue (WSAR) president, Brad Sills.

“So we’re still a long way from having coverage.”

The latest Snow Survey and Water Supply Bulletin from the Ministry of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship showed that, across B.C., snowpack is “extremely low” and averaging at 56 per cent of normal for the province. In the South Coast region, the bulletin reported snowpack was only 36 per cent of normal. At the same time last year, snowpack was 70 per cent of normal in this region.

For recreation, early-season snow serves the purpose of filling in gaps in the environment and hiding obstacles, with later-season snow over the top providing that popular pow everyone visits the region for. But right now, the heavy snowfall of recent weeks is only beginning to undo a very slow start to the season, and recreationalists heading into the hills need to be careful.

“There’s a lot of rocks, and logs and creek beds and all sorts of hazards out there right now,” said Sills.

Given the late start to the season, WSAR has seen a very slow start to calls for assistance, with the last major incident being the disappearance of Robert McKean in October.

With no snow, calls the WSAR would usually expect this time of year never came.

“We had slowed right down through November and December, I think they were probably the quietest we’ve ever had on record—not surprising, considering the weather,” said Sills.

That changed in the second week of January when a pair of snowfall warnings brought the goods to Whistler and the entire Sea to Sky corridor. “[A]s soon as the snow came, we were out every day—which again is not surprising because of the pent-up demand of people that are just burning to get out there,” Sills said.

On Thursday, Jan. 11, WSAR, with assistance from North Shore Rescue, rescued two skiers stuck in Fitzsimmons Creek.

So far, WSAR has responded to two other incidents that required action this year—some hikers were camping, and were surprised by the snow they woke to on Friday, Jan. 5, and another group was enjoying the recent snowfall on Saturday, Jan. 6 in an area they were unfamiliar with and got lost.

Both calls were resolved safely.

Safety remains top-of-mind for responders both off and on the mountain.

SKI TO YOUR DOOR FROM BLACKCOMB MOUNTAIN

604.907.2888 lisa@lisajohnson.me lisajohnson.me

4090 Whistler Way #120, Whistler, BC V8E 1J3

stihavn.com

SNOW PATROL Everyone’s eager to hit the slopes now that Whistler finally has the goods—like this lineup pictured Saturday, Jan. 6, in Creekside—but officials are urging caution both inbounds and in the backcountry.

PHOTO BY JUDY CAMPARDO

Adam Mercer, senior manager of patrol with Whistler Blackcomb, started out the season back in late November warning of the lack of early snowfall making ski conditions a relative unknown so early in the season. More than 100 cm worth of snow on the hill later, Mercer reiterated the same warning.

“We’d like to emphasize that snow levels remain lower than average in the high alpine,” he told Pique.

“Even though there is new snow and the alpine is open, there are still concerns about natural hazards including rocks, crevasses, and other features that haven’t been covered yet. Guests should stick to groomed and open trails within their ability levels and only leave the boundary if equipped; and have the proper training, knowledge and equipment.”

He reported the patrol team has been busy so far, “especially after recent significant snow events. There have been calls and incidents, including the recent in-bounds avalanche reported a few days ago. During this time, avalanche mitigation work, boundary maintenance, signage, and guest management are top priorities.”

Mercer said while the recent snowfall is a positive sign, more is needed before the resort can report normal depths.

“Guests are encouraged to report any incidents promptly to our patrol team.

Additionally, we want to remind everyone of the ongoing hazards associated with snow immersion and tree wells.

“Please be advised that there is strictly no uphill travel allowed outside of designated uphill routes. Engaging in uphill travel outside these designated areas is a violation that will result in the loss of pass privileges.”

If you’re going to head into the hills, find more information on how to stay safe in the backcountry by heading to adventuresmart. ca, a BC Search and Rescue Association tool designed to educate backcountry users and recreationalists on best practices to ensure they come home safe. n

6274 PALMER DRIVE

$ 2 , 9 9 5 ,0 0 0

JANUARY 19, 2024

15

NEWS WHISTLER

West Vancouver-Sea to Sky MLA Jordan Sturdy to retire from politics STURDY HAS SERVED AS MLA FOR THE RIDING SINCE 2013, AND NARROWLY HELD THE SEAT IN A 2020 SNAP ELECTION

BY SCOTT TIBBALLS LONGTIME WEST Vancouver-Sea to Sky MLA, Jordan Sturdy, will not seek a fourth term in the upcoming provincial election.

“I thoroughly enjoyed my time as an elected official,” he said in an interview with Pique. “I still have my farm, and I am now at a place where I need to take it to the next level, and to figure out how to transition it into the next generation. That requires all of my attention.”

Sturdy, who sits as a BC United MLA, was first elected in 2013, and re-elected in 2017 and 2020 as a BC Liberal, BC United’s previous iteration. Before that, he was the Mayor of Pemberton, where he still lives.

Sturdy said he never intended to be an elected official, but it was just how things worked out.

“It was a set of circumstances that brought me in in the first place,” he said, before shifting to talking about his popular family farm in Pemberton, North Arm Farm, which welcomed 80,000 visitors in 2023.

“It’s a big operation, and really my wife and one of my daughters have taken the lion’s share of the responsibility over the last couple of years. It has been difficult to navigate through all of the demands on

my life, and so I think that my future is not in politics, my future is on my farm in Pemberton.”

Asked about achievements during his 11 years as MLA, Sturdy said he was most proud of helping people.

“Much of what we do is of a more private and personal manner in that we’re continually approached by constituents about issues that they have with the provincial government, with provincial policy—with the federal government, for that matter—and much of what we do never sees the light of day.

“It’s about helping people solve problems, and that is overall very gratifying, useful, and practical work. That’s probably the most important aspect of what we do.”

He pointed to the introduction of a cumulative effects assessment framework for Howe Sound as a major win.

“It is a really important thing that will help us understand and ensure the biodiversity and health of Howe Sound continues to move in a positive direction,” he said. “That was a tool that was not previously used in a place like Howe Sound, so bringing that to this area was very important.”

A regret, however, was a long-term failure to move the needle on introducing a regional transit service—an item that has

long been on the wishlist of the regional community.

“I thought we were getting there, and it just seems to keep falling off the table,” he said.

“I did meet with the premier this summer and I was quite optimistic after that meeting.

We’ll see when the budget rolls around if there’s additional resources for transit or not, and whether they begin to adopt legislation that would make that happen.”

Sturdy’s retirement opens up the race for the West Vancouver-Sea to Sky riding, which was a close three-way race in 2020.

Sturdy won the riding by only 60 votes following a judicial recount, fending off BC Green candidate Jeremy Valeriote (who is running again in 2024).

He will bow out of politics during a time when BC United is low in the polls while the two-term NDP government holds a solid leading, with BC United facing challenges on its right flank from the resurgent Conservative Party of BC. BC United is yet to announce who will run for Sturdy’s seat, but he said he is encouraging all potential candidates to throw their hat into the ring.

“Win, lose or draw, it’s a worthwhile endeavour,” he said Asked whether he’d do it all over again, Sturdy said yes, but maybe not for quite as long.

“Honestly, I wasn’t intending to run in 2020, but it was a snap election and I couldn’t really walk from it at the time,” he said. “It had always been my intention to step aside.”

He did say his time helped him develop some opinions on term limits as a way to continually usher in fresh blood.

“I think there’s some real value in us thinking about what that looks like. I think we do need fresh ideas, we do need a new perspective on things,” he said.

“We also need to make sure people are not running with the sole objective of being re-elected. Obviously if you’re not elected you can’t effect change, but if your whole identity is integral to your political career, then if you lose that position, you lose your identity and you become lost, so people can become desperate to win, [so] their decisions are not necessarily made for the right reason.

“Whereas if you had term limits, then there’s nothing to lose. It’s easier to make the right decision when you have no skin in the game. You’re going to be gone anyway, so make the good decision, not the one that’s expedient, or that’s going to create opportunity for yourself.”

FInd the full story, along with an extended Q&A with Sturdy, at piquenewsmagazine.com. n

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WAG’s Holiday Matching Campaign 2023 In Partnership with Zog’s Whistler and Moguls Coffee House

THANK YOU

Our 4th Holiday Matching Campaign was an even bigger success!

TOTAL RAISED: $63,090 Special Thank You to Zog’s Whistler and Moguls Coffee House for all your contributions to WAG this past year…

And thank you to our communities for 40 years of Rescue, Rehabilitation, Donations and Adoptions.

With the support of Zog’s Whistler and Moguls Coffee House, and their pledge to match all donations up to $20,000, we had big fundraising goals for our annual Holiday Matching Campaign. Thanks to our supporters, not only did we meet our $20,000 fundraising goal, we surpassed it, raising a MASSIVE $43,090! We could not have done it without the support of our incredible communities, near and far.

Thank you from the bottom of our hearts…

Sarah Roth, Ginger L Johnson, Pamela Hendrick, Bandana’s by Denise Wood, Patricia Sloan, Owen Werker’s Bar Mitzvah Fundraiser, Michele Florian, Dylan Jones, Leslie Wilson, Colin Gailey, Tuula Schroderus, Whistler Welding Services Ltd, Janet Deisley Kristen Riddell, Sherry Klassen, Rebecca Hobson, David Piper, Isabelle Deguise, Tanis Blench, Erin Walmesley, Jo Craft, Megan Wastle, Diana De Man, Bradley Sinclair, Ecosign Mountain Resort Planners, Matti Schroderus, Chris Witwicki, Nick Swinburne Personal Real Estate Corp, Brian Wastle, Sara Manlove, Robin Jewers, Alex Butz, Tricia Curmi, Alicia Amundson, Nancy Wilhelm-Morden, Franca Bebb, Christopher Hodkinson, Chandra Eyton, Rolfe Benson LLP, Laura Puckett, Karen Schulman, Jill Ley, Heather Payrastre, Wendy Clark, Brent Morning-Smith, Krista Sigurdson, Kim Werker, Cora Burgess, Christine McCaffrey, Midori Mizusako, Rebecca Caspersen, Dwayne Smith, Karly Hunter, Janice Morning-Smith, Suzanne Bruinec’s Cermics Class at Carson Graham High School, Patricia Cochran & Family Jennifer Cooper, Lisa Byrne, Khristina Blajkevitch, Kari Chambers, Leana Gaerber, Catherine Dickison, Michael Struthers, Elizabeth McGregor, Katelynn Potter, Seoyun Lee, Andrea Symons, Alexandra Cutean, Lison Belanger, Adriana Di Segni, Harmony Place International Inc, Hayley Clark, Brenda Chinn, Ian Hodkinson, Salome Valente, Natalie Steele, Brigitte Stroud, Krayna Feinburg, Daniel Peebles, James Mulligan, Owen Robinson, Rebecca Watt, Lisa Tuer, Anne Parent, Tim Grant, Sarah Fisher, William Brogan, Paul Nietvelt, Mia Calder, Susan Gallant, Deborah Dymond, Robyn Bosada, Leah Morrison, Stephanie Reesor, Eric Scott, Stephanie Lowe, Brandy Yagelniski, Monique Joyce, Karen Wanger, Beverli Barnes Custom Design, Jonathan Lunn, Julia Montague, Alissa Powell, David Suckling, Morgan Bottomley, About Town Entertainment, Melissa Whitley, Kyleen Stanton, Janet Haynes, Sarah Renzoni, Sarah Steele, Carmen Felius, Kate Atherley, Jay Murray, Sascha Bendt, Mark Tanner, Stefanie Tomcheck, Roxane Carr, Jane Finlayson, Valentina Gutierrez, Catherine Mazza, Mac McDell, Miriam Wadge, Gale Cooper, Tricia Curmi, Elizabeth Nardella, Melissa Skafel, Christine McMillan, Kelsey Woodley, Dom Umbach, Cathy Beehan, Claire Thornthwaite, Rob Giffin, Shannon Howes, Sally McCandless, Irene Horvath, Vicki Romanin, Luke Currie, Peter Shorteno, Jordan McLean, Tiny Inu, Lani Levine, Marie Sheehan, Cynthia Boulter, Dean Olynyk, Ellen Domm, Shelia Walker, Eileen Kennedy, Rachael Whittaker, Selina Yau, Brian Reid, Substrate Studios, Sara Dunton, Andrea Faught, Allison Nelson, Rebecca Verstegen, Kathleen Dowling, Sandy Hsuan Ti Lin, Lisa Brideau, Vicki Sanders, Shannon Marler, Jenn Cole, Jennifer McLaren, Carl Martineau, Tu Le, Dawn Strong, Laura Downs, Mia Calder, Emily Suckling, Susan Hutchinson, Kayla Benbow, Jessica Malcolm, Barbara Cox, Russel White, Ria Fitzpatrick, Monica Louie, Katherine Palmer, Sarah Munro, Leanne Woodley, Olga Jandera, Kevin Eastwood, Lana Shipley

Thanks to everyone who came to get Pet Photos with Santa and everyone who stopped by the shelter to donate and help make this the most successful Matching Campaign yet!

NEWS WHISTLER

Whistler’s cold weather shelter expands capacity to meet demand THE WCSS MANAGED TO TRIPLE THE NUMBER OF BEDS AVAILABLE AT ITS COLD WEATHER SHELTER

BY SCOTT TIBBALLS IT’S ALL HANDS on deck at the Whistler Community Services Society’s (WCSS) cold weather shelter.

With overnight temperatures dropping below -10 in Whistler (and across much of the continent), for much of the last week, the WCSS initiated its Emergency Weather Response (EWR) and opened the doors of its 8000 Nesters Road facility for overnight stays.

Executive director of the WCSS, Jackie Dickinson, told Pique the facility reached capacity within an hour of opening on Thursday, Jan. 11, and reached capacity every night it’s been open since.

But nobody was being turned away, and Dickinson stressed they never will be.

“We went in knowing we had a certain amount of capacity, and if we reached that capacity, we would not turn anyone away,” she said, explaining WCSS staff would look at mobilizing those in need to other locations, or pay for temporary accommodations if there was no extra capacity to be found.

“This arctic flow was showing no signs of being done in a short period of time, so we advocated to the Resort Municipality of Whistler (RMOW) to see if we could get extra capacity within the community to support

WARM WELCOME The Whistler Community Services Society expanded temporary shelter capacity at its building at 8000 Nesters Road after temperatures plummeted for several days this month.

FILE PHOTO

this growing need, and the following morning (Friday, Jan. 12) we were zoned with support and help of the fire chief to go from six beds to 18.”

Every night since Jan. 11, the WCSS has operated with 18 beds made up of six it owns, and an extra 12 sourced from other groups in the community.

“We have six beds we were able to purchase with the support of a grant that came from the Whistler Health Care Foundation just over a year ago … When we got an increase in capacity the challenge was we didn’t have enough cots, so we advocated to the Fire Department and to emergency social services

to provide us with extra supplies, and we got 12 more cots provided to us,” Dickinson said.

She added the extra capacity was a challenge for the WCSS, but staff were motivated to make it work.

“We had to find space somewhere … We removed furniture and flipped [office] spaces.

We feel very lucky we were able to do that,” Dickinson said.

“Obviously it changes the delivery of services, but this is a public health emergency so we’re going to do whatever it takes.”

Notably, all staff with the WCSS are on deck to make the shelter happen and services continue.

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“Everybody is helping make this activation happen,” said Dickinson. “There’s also a very special group of people we’ve recruited that are a part of our EWR program, and they are our nighttime staff, the ones that are showing up at 11 at night when everyone’s cosy in bed. I really want to recognize this group of people, because they’re the silent heroes.”

WCSS is currently the only overnight cold weather shelter in Whistler providing beds to those in need when temperatures drop below -10.

The Whistler Public Library (WPL) is used as a warming shelter during daylight hours, having previously been used as an emergency overnight cold weather shelter prior to that responsibility shifting to the WCSS in 2023.

Dickinson said the community can help the WCSS by spreading the word the shelter is a safe space open to everyone.

“The greatest thing Whistlerites can do if they are safely housed is reach out to people that maybe aren’t, and really normalize their willingness to come into this space, and confirm for people it’s a safe space for them to belong, and when and if we reach capacity, we will ensure people get safety and nobody is left behind,” she said.

For updates on nights the shelter is open, follow the WCSS on Facebook. n

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NEWS WHISTLER

Cheakamus Crossing Lot 5 project clears more hurdles RMOW APPROVES LARGER FLOORPLAN AND FEWER PARKING SPACES FOR THE 104-UNIT RENTAL PROJECT

BY SCOTT TIBBALLS WHISTLER’S MAYOR and council voted this month to approve bylaw variances for another Cheakamus Crossing Phase 2 housing project, Lot 5, at 1475 Mount Fee Road.

The Whistler Development Corporation (WDC) project, which council gave two thumbs up only a few weeks ago, is now moving through more of the formal process of approval with the municipal bureaucracy.

The new variances for Lot 5 allow the rental project to maximize gross floor area, remove a requirement that the fourth floor of both buildings be stepped back (increasing floor plan on the top floor), reduce the parking requirement to only one space per unit, and permit a greater portion of the required parking to be surface parking.

In his presentation to council at the Jan. 9 council meeting, RMOW planner, LouisFelix Renaud, explained the variances are tailored to the proposed buildings, which will be located on a hectare-size lot against a steep hillside, deeper into the Cheakamus Crossing neighbourhood.

“The rezoning is simply to refine the zoning barometer to accommodate the proposed buildings,” he said.

The changes allow for the maximum gross

floor area to rise from 6,150 sq. m. to 6,975 sq. m.

Renaud explained the additional 825 sq. m. has moved into Lot 5 from the underdeveloped, future Lot 6, meaning there is no change to the overall density of the subdivision.

“This shift is not anticipated to have any impact on the development of Lot 6 in the future,” he said.

Additionally, the variance allows the

reserved for visitors.

“Staff is supportive of the parking requirement being reduced, as it is consistent with the parking ratio we established for the two latest rental buildings located on 1400 and 1450 Mount Fee Road (Lot 2A and 2B),” said Renaud.

During questions, Mayor Jack Crompton queried whether the Whistler Housing Authority (WHA), which will operate the

“I think the social acceptability would have been very low on [reducing parking further].”

- LOUIS-FELIX RENAUD

minimum amount of parking to be dropped to one per unit, of which there will be 104.

The amount of parking proposed is 121 spaces: 101 underground in a common parkade below the two buildings, with another 20 outside.

Spaces being outside is another variance allowed by the municipality. Three of the spaces will be oversize spaces for trucks, five will be covered resident spaces, and 12 will be

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building, had considered reducing parking further due to Cheakamus Crossing being well-served by transit, but was told by Renaud the RMOW is already fielding feedback about a lack of parking in the neighbourhood.

“I think the social acceptability would have been very low on [reducing parking further],” said Renaud, who explained a oneto-one ratio of units to parking spaces was as

Deadlines

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low as it could go, especially considering Lot 5 is further into the neighbourhood and from the highway, where the transit links are concentrated.

Other questions were on whether the applicant—the WHA—had considered childcare amenities in the build to increase services (no), a query about the oversize parking spaces for larger vehicles (covered by the three outdoor spaces), and the aesthetics of the lot.

The RMOW was not required to hold a public hearing to affect the bylaw variances due to changes in the local government act. Instead, residents nearby were alerted through a mail-out, public notices, and advertising in Pique.

Council approved the variances.

Lot 5 will consist of two, four-storey rental buildings containing 104 units: 24 studio units (of which 12 will be universally accessible), 40 one-bedroom units, 32 two-bedroom units and eight three-bedroom units. All units will have internal storage and a balcony, and both of the two buildings will have laundry and bike storage.

A development permit application will come back to council when the RMOW formally adopts the bylaw variances in the coming weeks.

The Lot 5 development is expected to welcome residents by 2026. n

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NEWS WHISTLER

WING AND A PRAYER An American wigeon coming in for a landing.

PHOTO BY VICTOR ALFONSO

Naturespeak: Whistler birds—A year in review (and where were the autumn swans?)

BY KARL RICKER and the Whistler Naturalists Society AUTUMN SEASON for birds ended with token few numbers and a brisk winter wind on Nov. 30, 2023, which also marks the yearend for birds. The year was unusual; spotty numbers of most species, yet the biodiversity was right on the long-term average of 175 species. We netted one more thanks to a very surprising once-in-a-lifetime visitor, the Scissor-tailed Flycatcher, which was not seen elsewhere in British Columbia, but did show up on the Alaska panhandle. (Same bird?)

Our winter season ended on Feb. 28, with the on-average 61 species. The unusual sighting was a coastal Anna’s Hummingbird at Christmas. For the following spring quarter, it was a struggle to round up 129 species, seven below the 18-year average. The bird of the season was a Western Screech-Owl on the Lost Lake circuit. However, by summer our birding corps nailed 130 species, 10 above the average (including, of course, the Scissortailed Flycatcher). Nonetheless, some of the typical sightings were missed.

For the autumn, which has just wound up in unusual dry and cool weather, the observations of red-naped sapsucker, yellow-billed loon and stilt sandpiper were rare. The big item was at “Rebagliati Bay” (Green Lake at the bottom of the Rainbow subdivision) filled with American wigeon ducks and American coots (when not at the float plane wharf). On some days, the numbers of each pushed 100 or more. The autumn count was on the average of 106 species. Although it included trumpeter swans, their meager numbers one can count on the fingers of two hands.

The Whistler monthly counts have been

well attended, with Chris Dale up for most of them to share his superb observations with us.

The number of keen and efficient observers is slowly growing, but two of us are now at the out-to-pasture stage!

Heather Baines, for more than 20 years, has been a dedicated stalwart in her mentorship of novice birders. Always patient with questions, she’s also happy to chant her idioms of birdsong to help in differentiating species. Her long-standing birdwatching history gave her deep knowledge of bird identification by sight, hearing, and flight patterns, which she was always willing to share with those interested. All were welcome to join the Whistler Bird Walk, with Heather willing to coach anyone who joined in to appreciate the wonder of our feathered friends more fully. Heather understands that birds are not only a daily, delightful connection to nature, but long-term studies reveal birds as excellent indicators—allowing us to better understand the overall health of our ecosystems and the environment.

Heather is a long-standing contributor to citizen science, and has a long history of volunteerism. She spent thousands of hours of her time contributing to the BC Breeding Birds Atlas surveys (2008-2012), with the B.C. waterbird survey, and B.C. loon surveys. Over many years, she has regularly participated in more than seven individual Christmas Bird Counts across B.C. annually!

The Whistler Naturalists would like to say a huge thanks to Heather Baines, who is stepping down as coordinator of Whistler’s Monthly Bird Walk and Monitoring Program after more than 20 years. Thank you for your energy, knowledge, and participation.

Naturespeak is prepared by the Whistler Naturalists. To learn more about Whistler’s natural world, go to whistlernaturalists.ca. n

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JANUARY 19, 2024

21

NEWS PEMBERTON

‘This community is not for the elderly’ PEMBERTON AND MOUNT CURRIE RESIDENTS FEEL STRANDED DUE TO A LACK OF TRANSPORTATION OPTIONS IN THE AREA

BY RÓISÍN CULLEN Local Journalism Initiative Reporter A LACK OF TAXIS and regular transit in Pemberton and Mount Currie is causing problems for locals, particularly society’s most vulnerable.

There are no taxi companies currently operating in either town. Ghost taxis are popular in the area, especially during busy celebrations like New Year’s Eve. Others turn to the popular Poparide app to get around without a car outside of regular bus times.

Some elderly people in the community say they feel disconnected from the downtown core. Pemberton Meadows resident, Rosalind Marcia Young, said transportation options have deteriorated greatly since her family first moved into the community 64 years ago.

“As a senior citizen and recent widow without a driver’s licence, I am stuck at home because there is no bus service and taxi service,” she said.

“One can only impose on friends so much to get around. This community is not for the elderly, it is catered towards the young and able. Thank goodness I can get groceries delivered. I was raised here, and we always had a taxi and bus service since the late ’50s.

I know that most people have one or two cars per family to get around and that cuts down on passengers... but there are still people like me out there.”

NEED A LIFT? Locals in Mount Currie and Pemberton often have to get creative when it comes to transportation.

PHOTO BY TASEFFSKI / ISTOCK / GETTY IMAGES

22 JANUARY 19, 2024

The 67-year-old said many of her neighbours are in a similar situation, and are not able to do their own shopping. Young visits the downtown core every two weeks for her Seniors Stitch Group. Luckily, her brother lives nearby and is able to take her to essential doctor’s appointments.

“He brings me my mail and stuff I should run out of,” she said.

Sammy Losee echoed these concerns.

“I know my mom (as a longtime member of this community and as a senior) is struggling with no taxi service when the weather turns,” she said.

The Pemberton Seniors Society helps seniors stay connected to their community.

Brenda Geoff McLeod explained elderly people in the area often have to depend on others to get around.

“There are quite a few seniors living in Pemberton and area who do not drive anymore for a variety of reasons,” she said. “These people become housebound, especially in winter unless they have others to drive them places. Some seniors who do drive and have easy vehicles to get in and out of will pick up other seniors who don’t drive. We have the local Pemberton Seniors Society that many seniors have membership to and that provides a bit of support and networking for seniors.”

Similarly, Pemberton’s notorious hot summer temperatures can create problems for seniors.

“I have become aware of seniors having to walk from the seniors’ housing to seniors’ activities in scorching hot temperatures because of no transportation options,” said McLeod. “Our community had much better transportation options years ago.”

McLeod said Pemberton Valley Supermarket offers a delivery service for groceries, but other businesses have yet to follow suit.

Georgina Dan said buses from Pemberton to Mount Currie create even more limits.

Some Lil’wat Nation youth also say they are scared to take the local bus from Mount Currie to Pemberton due to anti-social behaviour and fighting on board.

“I would love to have more bus times available,” said Dan. “It limits so much with the current schedule. Last bus from Whistler to Pemberton is at 9 p.m., but the last bus from Pemberton to Mount Currie is at 7. A lot of Lil’wat people get stuck hitchhiking home with not having enough for a $25 hire home all the time.”

Dan told Pique an average ride home in a ghost taxi costs $20, or $25 if she has groceries.

Kendra Klassen said a ride from Reid Road to Pioneer Junction costs approximately $40. She stressed it can also be difficult to find a reputable driver.

“I was able to get a ghost taxi on NYE, but it’s definitely frustrating, because we have a lot of friends out past Mount Currie,” she said.

“It’s impossible for them to come into town for a couple drinks or even for us to go out there for a couple as we/they have no way of getting back home.”

Catherine Bégin said the only way to get home from a night out in Whistler is to keep the details vague. Groups often cannot find a taxi driver willing to take them back to Pemberton.

“The trick is you get in and tell them you’re going north, and when you get close to Emerald you specify you’re going to

Pemberton,” she said. “Otherwise they won’t even let you get in the taxi if they know you’re going to Pemberton.”

Bégin and her colleagues encounter this problem every year at their staff Christmas party.

“This year we decided to be a bit cheeky and not tell them exactly where we were going, and it worked,” she said. “We almost decided to rent a school bus to get everybody home to Pemberton. There should be a 1 a.m. bus back to Pemberton so we could enjoy more pub time. Without any more bars open in Pemberton and no transportation, I’m sure a lot of people drink and drive.”

A Whistler taxi company was reportedly charging up to $200 for a one-way trip to Pemberton in 2022.

As far as drinking and driving, a “Don’t Drink and Drive Call Me” Facebook page operates in Pemberton for people who need a ride. But many residents are calling for more regular buses to and from Whistler.

Five buses depart from Pemberton daily. They leave Blackbird Bakery at 7 a.m., 8:20 a.m., 5:25 p.m., 6:50 p.m. and 9:58 p.m.

Ridesharing company Uber confirmed to Pique it has no current plans to expand into Pemberton. Corporate communications lead, Keerthana Rang, said the company appreciates the continued support from potential riders and drivers.

“We continue to look for ways to expand into new cities, which is dependent on local conditions, including availability of drivers with Class 4 licenses,” she said. “Last year, in June, we expanded to Victoria, Kelowna,

SEE PAGE 23 >>

NEWS PEMBERTON

‘Christmas miracle’ saves PVTA’s cross-country ski season PEMBERTON VALLEY TRAILS ASSOCIATION DISCOVERED ITS DONATED SNOWMOBILE WAS ON ITS LAST LEGS, JUST BEFORE THE SEASON WAS SET TO START

BY RÓISÍN CULLEN Local Journalism Initiative Reporter THE PEMBERTON VALLEY Trails Association (PVTA) said this year’s crosscountry ski season was completely saved by a kind gesture from a local business.

The association previously brought groomed tracks first to Beer Farmers and more recently classic and skate tracks to Big Sky Golf Course. Recently, it became clear a previously donated snowmobile used for cross-country ski grooming would not survive the 2024 season. The organization turned to the local community, who did not disappoint.

Some offered temporary technical solutions for the sled, or generously donated money towards a new vehicle. Others volunteered to groom the trails themselves to kick-start the season.

Thankfully, Backcountry Motorsports performed a “Christmas miracle” and saved the season. The team offered PVTA access to a Polaris 4-stroke corporate demo machine for the 2024 winter season entirely free of charge.

PTVA has been blessed by acts of kindness from the community since its cross-country ski program first started in 2020. Executive director, Allison Gilchrist, said its first donated sled started a series of heart-warming gestures.

“As a small, non-profit charity, we rely on the support of the community to maintain the trails,” said Gilchrist. “We are so grateful to the team at Backcountry Motorsports for helping to make sure our cross-country ski program can go ahead as planned this year—once the conditions are right. Currently, Big Sky Golf Club generously offers the community the use of its facilities and donates staff

time for grooming to provide an exceptional experience for cross-country skiers.”

Backcountry Motorsports’ owner, Andrew McBride, said they were eager to keep the fun going this season.

“We try and support the local community whenever the opportunity presents itself and it’s within our capability,” said McBride. “The Pemberton Valley Trails Association is an awesome local asset for the community and our support of them runs deeper than just the XC Ski track.”

PTVA is eternally grateful to local companies for keeping the program going, but a more permanent solution is needed.

“We are glad that together with Big Sky Golf Course and Backcountry Motorsports we can offer the community access to one of their favourite cross-country ski tracks this winter,” said Gilchrist. But the organization is still in need of a permanent, tow-capable, working sled that partners can use with PVTA’s grooming equipment next season and beyond.

The association is eager to make sure this the trails are open for many years to come.

“We know that many people in Pemberton value these winter trails—our next step is to find a permanent tow-capable solution, whether that be through a grant, donation or a formal partnership, so we can offer this program for years to come,” said Gilchrist. “We hope the community will join us in finding one.”

Businesses or community members who may be interested are encouraged to get in touch with PVTA at fundraising@ pembertontrails.com. The PVTA also welcomes donations of any size from crosscountry skiers and community members who would like to support the program. Read more at pembertontrails.com/give-back.html. n

TRANSPORTATION FROM PAGE 22 and Chilliwack, and then in September, we expanded to Mission, north of Chilliwack, and Kent. We have no immediate plans to expand to Pemberton.”

Transportation remains one of council’s top priorities. Michelle Fernandes, communications and engagement advisor for the Village of Pemberton, urged people to make their concerns heard.

“The Village of Pemberton understands the importance of reliable and accessible transportation for our community members, especially during the busy winter season,” she said. “Community feedback is crucial in helping mayor and council in their advocacy efforts to identify opportunities to improve transportation service within Pemberton and between our neighbouring communities.”

BC Transit’s senior media relations and public affairs advisor, Jamie Weiss, said the organization is working on improving Pemberton’s transportation system.

“BC Transit and our local government

partners work hard to provide the most safe and reliable transportation for our customers in the Pemberton Valley Transit System. We recognize the growth in Pemberton and its neighbouring communities, and that there is an increased demand for public transit,” he said. “The Village of Pemberton, Lil’wat Nation and the Squamish-Lillooet Regional District, who fund the local share of this transit service, have agreed to support an expansion and increase in service on the Route 99 Pemberton Commuter.”

Locals should see the benefits of the expansion sooner rather than later. “This expansion, which would see an additional bus enter service and more frequency during peak times, is pending provincial funding and would be implemented during fiscal year 2024-25,” said Weiss. “BC Transit will continue to work with our local government and provincial partners throughout this process and more information will be available in the coming months.” n

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THE PEMBERTON & DISTRICT PUBLIC LIBRARY

7 PM MONDAY FEBRUARY 5TH AT THE PEMBERTON & DISTRICT PUBLIC LIBRARY We invite everyone to attend our our Annual General Meeting on Monday, February 5th, at 7 pm. Come with your questions, meet the Library Board, and discover some of the achievements and challenges of the past year.

JOIN THE LIBRARY BOARD Do you love the library? Can you spare approximately 2 hours a month? Why not become a Library board member and help shape the future of the library!

To learn more, please email Library Director Emma Gillis at egillis@pembertonlibrary.ca

SCAN TO LEARN ABOUT THE LIBRARY BOARD Trustee Applications must be submitted by January 22, 2024

Phone: 604-894-6916

Email: info@pembertonlibrary.ca

JANUARY 19, 2024

23

THE OUTSIDER

Ways to watch the weather WELL , we finally got that season turnaround we were looking for. One minute we’re dodging rocks in the rain, the next we’re lining up at 5 a.m. to ski the biggest storm in what felt like years. Welcome back, winter. We missed ya.

When weather doesn’t go our way (like in December), there are a few things we can do.

1. Make the most of it by appreciating where we live and the proximity to these mountains.

2. Complain about it online by positing that we

BY VINCE SHULEY all deserve season-pass refunds or credits for the following season.

3. Watch the weather and get ready to pounce on the next cold, precipitation-heavy system that hits the south coast.

Being already a staunch supporter of Option 1 and often making fun of the folks who love Option 2, I’m going to elaborate a bit on Option 3. Everyone has their preferred method of monitoring the weather—this is just a sample of the resources I use. A caveat about weather forecasts before we get into it: anything more than three to four days out is hard to predict for any weather model, so treat anything beyond that as definitely-maybe.

Big-picture baseline: The Weather Network Before looking at any quantified snow forecasts, I like to get a feel for what’s going on in the valley and the region. The Weather Network is my forecast app of choice year-

APP-ROPORIATE What weather apps do you check before heading out into the elements?

PHOTO VICHOT / GETTY IMAGES

24 JANUARY 19, 2024

round. It has an excellent user interface where you can easily switch between saved locations and check short-term (72-hour) forecasts down to the hour, mid-term (seven-day) forecasts with decent accuracy, and a long-range (14day) outlook for an idea of what’s on the way.

The app has ads, but they don’t really get in your way.

Conservative outlook: The Whistler Blackcomb Forecast (RWDI) Back around 2010, college researchers uncovered historical data showing some ski resorts in the U.S. were over-reporting snowfall amounts on Saturday and Sunday mornings by as much as 23 per cent in an effort to increase regional visitation. The deceptive tactic largely

amount of snowfall we can expect. When you’re dealing with skiers with high expectations, it’s often best to under promise and over deliver.

Optimistic outlook: snow-forecast.com Infamous for its overestimation of expected snowfall, snow-forecast.com is likely the most screenshotted-and-shared weather app on the internet. On the plus side, it does give you a general idea of the storm intensity at peak, mid-mountain, and valley elevations (in the short term), and the freezing-level numbers are generally pretty close.

The app is free (with some annoying ads) for the six-day forecast, with monetized “premium” access to its 12-day forecast.

Whistler Peak is by far the most useful resource for skiing at Whistler Blackcomb. It consolidates all the aforementioned weather resources in a single app…

became obsolete after social networks and rapid data-sharing (i.e. people posting from their phones) allowed the public to debunk any false information.

So skiers were wary of weather information released by resorts. To remain as transparent as possible and maintain consumer confidence, Whistler Blackcomb (WB) contracts its weather forecasting to consulting firm RWDI, which you can find on the WB website or the Epic app. The seven-day forecast includes the outlook, temperature highs and lows, wind speed, expected snow accumulation and, most importantly, freezing level.

In recent years I’ve found the RWDI forecast to be quite conservative with the

If you’re thinking about upgrading to the 12-day version, don’t bother. With snowforecast.com’s reputation for fuelling snowsport clickbait articles, you’re better off sending some money to the guy working locally to bring us the best weather information (see below).

Best for backcountry: Avalanche Canada Any ski-tourers reading this already realize the importance of checking the daily bulletin from Avalanche Canada, but the app and website both have excellent weather forecasting that can be cross-referenced for backcountry route planning. This should be a mandatory check if you intend to set foot beyond the ski-area boundary.

Deep dive for advanced users: SpotWx I won’t go into the features and capabilities of this particular resource, but as the title suggests, it requires an experienced user to interpret and compare the various numerical models and weather-station data streams aggregated by SpotWx. Recommended for weather obsessives, ski/ mountain guides, or anyone else looking for a meteorological hobby.

The best of everything: whistlerpeak.com and Peak Live App Created by Whistler local Brad Meraly, Whistler Peak is by far the most useful resource for skiing at Whistler Blackcomb.

It consolidates all the aforementioned weather resources in a single app with more than enough granular data (such as graphs, weather plots, and live telemetry all over Whistler and Blackcomb) to keep the weather nerds busy.

It has loads of other helpful resort information (such as updates from the comms team) so you can get an idea of why lifts suddenly close or which WB parking lots are already full.

Meraly maintains the app and has kept it ad-free, so make sure you click on the “support this project” link and buy him a few coffees for his trouble.

Honourable mention: onthesnow.com I don’t travel as much for skiing these days, so I haven’t used this app much. But if you were looking for the best resort to book your ski trip and wanted to get a sense of current conditions (including recent reports from other skiers), onthesnow. com is a popular resource for mainstream snowsport enthusiasts.

Vince Shuley is feeling like it’s winter again.

For questions, comments or suggestions for The Outsider, email vince.shuley@gmail.com or Instagram @whis_vince. ■

CAN YOU IMAGINE? BOSHARD, June Freda June 15, 1929 - December 3, 2023

It is with great sadness that we announce the loss of June. She is survived by her children Peter (Elie), Greg (Chris), and Julie (Richard), 4 grandchildren - Michelle, Christopher (Andrea), Matt, and Tim (Michelle), 6 great grandchildren (Aaron, Claire, Jack, Bruno, Bryce and Max), and some close friends.

June’s priorities were her family, friends and pets. She loved walking her dogs, playing cards (particularly crib and poker), gardening, golfing, road trips, and holidays, especially Christmas. She was born and raised in Vancouver, and in 1948, married the love-of-her-life, Pete. In 1955, they moved to Deep Cove, North Vancouver to raise their family. She enjoyed their waterfront home, boating, their cabin on Mt. Seymour and community life, which included volunteering for various school functions, the Lions Gate Auxiliary and many charities. When their children married, June and Pete settled on a hobby farm in Surrey for 13 years with their many dogs, cats, birds, horses and sheep. They went on from there to build their log home on Lac des Roche in the Caribou, then in 2006, moved to Whistler to live with their daughter and son-in-law.

June and Pete’s marriage was based on love, respect, and commitment, and they totally supported each other’s goals.

In 1964, June joined Pete to form Combined Painting, a thriving commercial/industrial painting company. Their sons joined them after graduating and took over the business when they retired in 1984. Truly a family owned and operated business, their grandsons are successfully running it today, 59 years later.

After retirement, from wherever they were living, June and Pete travelled Canada, the US and parts of Mexico in their beloved motorhome with their dogs and cat. Often family or dear friends travelled or caravanned with them to the various destinations. They eventually bought a place in California where they spent most of the winter. No matter where they were, their homes were the focus where all family members and their many old and new friends gathered. June and Pete were gracious hosts, always welcoming and pleased to see you. Even after Pete’s passing in 2014, June made you feel that your presence in her home was appreciated and enjoyed…forever being attuned to the needs of her loved ones and guests. She was particularly kind and thoughtful, generous in words and attitude, which showed in the lifelong friendships she nourished with loving care throughout the years. The remaining eight years of her life were spent happily travelling back and forth with her daughter from Whistler to Tucelnuit Lake in Oliver, always trying to muster up a game of cards with whomever visited, but mostly content reading the Province, watching CBC News and Jeopardy, helping with meals and gardening, and enjoying her evening glass of wine.

She was very appreciative of Whistler’s and Oliver’s health communities and the people that supported her. June died peacefully in the Squamish hospice with her children by her side, knowing that she had just skunked her great granddaughter at crib the day before. June will be greatly missed and loved always and forever. A celebration of her life will take place this summer.

JANUARY 19, 2024

25

FEATURE STORY outdoor sports programs for Indigenous youth. Ward leads the ILSA mountain biking and climbing programs.

Finding a sense of belonging

o f m o o r Making

everyone o he mountain nt

r

Community evokes a sense of belonging. But that feeling can be surface-level for members of minority groups on the mountain.

In skiing and snowboarding, to look and move like the standard is to be accepted.

But those standards can inspire feelings of exclusion and inadequacy for many—particularly minority groups related to ethnicity, sexual orientation, or gender identity.

“I don’t know if there is anything I like about traditional ski culture,” says Hayre.

“I started mountain sports again [in my adulthood] to find a way to fit in and find a piece of identity, a sense of belonging.

I wasn’t finding it because I never felt like I could actually be myself. How are you going to belong somewhere if you’re not being who you really are?”

Hayre couldn’t find a ski community where she felt unconditionally accepted, so she created her own: a ski community of Incluskivity, where being on the mountain is about learning, getting outside, and simply “showing up.”

And once you start showing up, you might be surprised by what you find.

Outdoor sports photographer and filmmaker Ryan Collins says his sense of belonging has oftentimes been contingent on his performance.

“People don’t care if you’re gay if you’re a good skier or a good photographer,” says Collins. “When you’re good, that’s when you end up feeling like you belong in [mountain towns].”

Collins says there’s a perception that “the straight guy is more likely to fit in with the group,” so there’s even more pressure on him when competing for a job.

According to the Canadian Ski Council, in the 2021-22 season, 16 per cent of skiers and snowboarders were members of a visible minority, which was a four-per-cent increase from the previous decade, when the percentage of minority skiers and boarders was stagnant at 12 per cent.

Language of the land

By Adelaide Tiller

M

achismo and bravado—two words frequently used to describe ski and snowboard culture.

There’s a performative aspect in mountain sports; you’re judged if your gear isn’t “steezy” or stylish enough, and beginners are deemed yetis, gorbs, or jerrys. How someone describes mountain conditions in the gondola is dissected by strangers and assumed to be indicative of their ability.

Being different isn’t easy, especially in mountain sports.

But locals in Whistler, Squamish, and Pemberton recognize the flaws in the culture, and are working to make snow sports more inclusive.

Indra Hayre, the founder of Incluskivity (in·clu·ski·vity), offers backcountry courses for women and gender-diverse folks of colour. Her non-profit organization removes barriers women of colour often face while participating in snow sports, such as cost and the feeling of not belonging due to the lack of racialized representation in the sport.

Part of Hayre’s motivation to start Incluskivity was because she felt intimidated by backcountry spaces and courses, where she felt her ethnicity and gender were how people perceived her, over factors like her personality or ability.

26 JANUARY 19, 2024

“It’s nice when you go into a space and that’s not what people are focusing on—you’re not a skier of colour, because everyone else is a skier of colour,” says Hayre.

Indigenous Women Outdoors (IWO) is another organization breaking down barriers. In the winter, they host low-cost beginner ski and snowboard lessons, backcountry courses, and social ski/ride days.

IWO is entering the fourth season of its backcountry mentorship program. This is the first year where previous participants can take on a leadership role with the guidance of Sandy Ward. Incluskivity also has past participants leading programs this year, contributing to a greater diversity of leaders in the backcountry.

Ward, a member of the Lil’wat Nation, wears many hats.

She co-founded IWO, is a certified trail guide and mountainbike coach, a talented athlete, a volunteer leader, and a longtime Whistler Blackcomb instructor. She also recently produced a documentary.

She was an inaugural First Nations Snowboard Team member and a BC Freestyle Team athlete in her younger days, mainly competing in the snowboard halfpipe.

While she always felt supported by her coaches, Ward says it was uncomfortable being the only Indigenous snowboarder at times, and she didn’t have Indigenous athletes to admire.

But she sees representation growing.

“Kids can now look up to someone who looks like them, has gone through the same traumas, comes from the reservation and understands them a bit more,” she says.

In 2020, the First Nations Snowboard Team became the Indigenous Life Sport Academy. ILSA offers year-round

Vail Resorts supports Incluskivity, IWO, and ILSA with lift and rental packages. The mountain operator also provides free season passes for Indigenous youth aged 12 to 18 from the Squamish and Lil’wat Nations. Vail Resorts and the Squamish

Sandy Ward

PHOTO BY ROBIN O’NEILL

Indra Hayre

PHOTO BY MIRAE CAMPBELL

FEATURE STORY

Bruce Johnston Ryan Collins PHOTO BY LAURA SZANTO

PHOTO BY BRAD HEPPNER

Lil’wat Cultural Centre (SLCC) also launched a program this year to provide 49 SLCC employees with packages of season passes, rental equipment, and lessons.

Hayre and Ward say access to the mountain is a huge deal, since the cost of skiing Whistler Blackcomb, even for the day, is prohibitive for many people.

In addition to supporting local non-profits, Vail Resorts recently revamped the Raven’s Nest restaurant on Whistler Mountain to include Indigenous-inspired cuisine and art.

Riders can now stop in for venison chilli or a smoked salmon sandwich, among other dine-in and to-go options. The menu was created in partnership with the SLCC and lists items in the Squamish (Sk_wx _wú7mesh Sníchim) and Lil’wat (Líl’wat7úl Ucwalmicwts) languages, in addition to English.

Ward is excited by this change to Raven’s Nest, as well as the addition of Squamish and Lil’wat names to the new Fitzsimmons Express chairlift. The Squamish language name for the lift is Sk_wexwnách, translating to Valley Creek. In the Lil’wat language, the name is Tsíqten, which means Fish Spear.

Both of these names appear on the upper and lower terminals of the lift.

Language holds a lot of significance for Ward. She values learning the traditional names of the places she rides and the stories behind those names.

“It’s important for us to get back into understanding why these places are called what they were, and why it was important to have language connected to the land. Our language comes from the land,” says Ward.

Slides on the Mountain is the translation of Ts’zil, the Lil’wat name for Mount Currie. It’s also the name of the short film Ward produced and appeared in. Slides on the Mountain screened at the Whistler Film Festival, and follows two brothers from the Lil’wat Nation, Talon and Riki, as they embark on the challenge of skiing Ts’zil. The Lil’wat name demonstrates the significance of language—the name itself reveals a defining feature of the place.

Whistler Blackcomb plans to include both Nations in naming the upgraded Jersey Cream Express chairlift next winter.

People like us In addition to the non-profit sector, creatives are also paving the way for change.

For a long time, ski and snowboard films have told similar stories about the same types of people. It’s a genre historically chock-full of hyper-masculinity and “oneupmanship,” as professional skier Cody Townsend has put it. But that’s finally changing.

In 2011, Sherpas Cinemas’ All.I.Can ignited a new wave of ski films. The artful film focused on themes of climate change in addition to the sheer talent in “ski-porn” footage. Most notably, it contains a street segment of the late J.P. Auclair as he skied through urban areas of Trail, B.C., illustrating that

you don’t need a pass to the best mountain—all you need is a shovel and a pair of skis to have fun in your own backyard.

In the 13 years since that film, more and more ski films are telling important stories.

Collins’ directorial debut, People Like Us, also screened at the Whistler Film Festival last month. His documentary discusses the experiences of queer skiers and snowboarders in small mountain towns like Revelstoke and Pemberton. It features Pemberton-based snowboarder Bruce Johnston.

Johnston was trepidatious when he was approached to be in the film, but the thought of kids who feel different having someone to relate to on-screen motivated him; he didn’t have that growing up. He wanted to contribute to the new era of ski/ snowboard films.

“If you’re a young person and you’re different and you’re into something that doesn’t have people who are like you doing it, then you think: ‘Maybe I’m not supposed to be doing this,’” says Johnston.

“Hopefully, some skier or snowboarder, or even just an outdoor enthusiast, will see this and go, ‘Oh wow, there are people like me who are different and doing rad stuff.’”

His aspiration is that no one puts down their skis or board because they feel different.

In the documentary, viewers are reminded by Johnston that snowboarding was born as a counterculture—so why would we outcast people for being different?

Representation was also a salient theme in Slides on the Mountain. Ward says the filmmakers’ biggest goal was to empower the Lil’wat Nation. Not only was the film revered by the community, but the Whistler Film Festival’s jury also acclaimed it with the Best Mountain Culture Short Film Award.

“We wanted to show our community how awesome it was to get two of their youth onto this mountain that people from all over the world come to ski and snowboard, but we’ve never had this opportunity ourselves. We’re coming back out onto the land, but on our own terms,” says Ward.

Hayre is an avid Slides on the Mountain fan and believes films made by minority storytellers will help more people see a spot for themselves in the ski community.

“In order for us to broaden what it means to be a skier, the stories we tell have to be diverse in nature,” says Hayre.

A source of Pride In addition to diversity being highlighted in films, all gender identities and sexual orientations will be celebrated with the fast-approaching Whistler Pride & Ski Festival. Eight days of snow sports and social events run from Jan. 21 to 28. Mountain enthusiasts can go heli-skiing, or recreational riders can join a free social ski/snowboard group. There’s also no shortage of après activities, from relaxation at Scandinave Spa to Drag Bingo at Nita Lake Lodge.

As the festival enters its 31st year, it continues to be an exuberant way to show Whistlerites and visitors from afar that Whistler welcomes everyone.

Dean Nelson, the former longtime producer of Whistler Pride, recalls the festival’s early years and how emotional it can be for some attendees.

“People started sobbing as they entered Whistler Village because they saw rainbow flags for the first time,” he says.

The event will culminate with a ski-out and parade through the village on Friday, Jan. 26, and the noteworthy Snowball event—a dance party in the Sea to Sky Ballroom at the Whistler Conference Centre, which lasts until 4 a.m. on Sunday.

Inclusion is also a pertinent theme in competitive sports.

A former Whistler Mountain Ski Club (WMSC) member— who wishes to remain anonymous—stopped competing to pursue other extracurricular activities. He came out as transgender after he left the club.

He had a non-binary role model at the WMSC, and says their openness about their identity was a beacon of hope for him.

He thinks things are moving in the right direction.

However, he hopes the conversation about differing identities in competitive snow sports continues to gain traction, as that conversation was never had with athletes when he was a ski racer.

“An equitable ski culture is a place where everyone feels

welcome and they don’t feel excluded because of their identity.

They can talk about these things without being ostracized,” he says.

BC Alpine’s Gender Inclusion Policy states, “Athletes in developmental and recreational sport should be able to participate in the gender category in which they identify, without any further disclosure or other requirements.”

In an email, Sandy Nattress, executive director of the WMSC, said the club takes inclusion very seriously.

“As such, we support gender inclusion. At registration, we invite families to share gender information if they wish, and to indicate if they have a gender preference,” he wrote.

“We support our members’ and athletes’ freedom to choose how they would like to identify, and their privacy as well.”

Room to grow Vail Resorts encourages initiatives like the Rainbow Room, a 2SLGBTQIA+ employee affinity group bolstering employees’ confidence and space for authenticity. While Nelson acknowledges these groups as a crucial step, he sees marketing as an area for growth.

“Vail Resorts’ marketing needs to be updated to have diverse imagery on the website, printed materials, and in spaces on the mountain. There could be more pride, or progress flags, displayed in food and beverage locations,” says Nelson.

Dane Gergovich, Whistler Blackcomb’s senior manager of communications, says the pride flag is displayed in the Chick Pea Hut and Merlin’s Bar and Grill.

Like Nelson, Collins believes the normative “ski image” appeals to the majority. He traces the cause to the sport’s history.

“The [marketing] industry knows people want to be like the pros,” says Collins.

Those pros have traditionally been white men. Marketers know people will buy into the “bro brah” culture, and it’s the white man who has historically epitomized that image.

Just as IWO and Incluskivity champion backcountry leadership, Nelson hopes to see more members of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community in senior positions, too.

“Until we have diverse leadership, we’ll never have true diversity. When you have leadership that is binary and heteronormative, that’s the commentary that’s pushed forwards,” he says.

There is still ample room for progress, but courageous individuals and non-profit organizations are making meaningful strides to ensure everyone is accepted in ski and snowboarding communities. There is plenty of room for everyone on the mountain. ■

Dean Nelson PHOTO BY MOLLY CAHILL

JANUARY 19, 2024

27

SPORTS THE SCORE

Cameron Alexander races to second career World Cup medal THE WHISTLER MOUNTAIN SKI CLUB ALUM TOOK BRONZE IN BORMIO, ITALY

BY DAVID SONG CAMERON ALEXANDER closed out 2023 with a bang in Bormio.

The 27-year-old made his way down a demanding Stelvio course in one minute and 51.96 seconds: fast enough to earn the second FIS World Cup medal of his career. Cyprien Sarrazin of France (1:50.73) earned gold, while Swiss two-time world champ Marco Odermatt (1:50.82) grabbed silver.

“It means a lot,” Alexander said. “To be able to get a World Cup podium for the second time shows that I’m consistently able to bring speed, and Bormio is a completely different track than Kvitfjell [where I won my first World Cup medal], because Kvitfjell has more flowy, long turns.

“Bormio is a very icy, slick surface. It’s usually quite bumpy as well, and it doesn’t get sun at this time of year so you can’t see a ton. It’s one of the more intense tracks that

BORMIO BRONZE Cameron Alexander won his second World Cup medal, a bronze, on Dec. 28, 2023 in Bormio, Italy.

PHOTO COURTESY OF ALPINE CANADA

28 JANUARY 19, 2024

we ski on the World Cup circuit, and [winning bronze] gives me more confidence that I can compete on different tracks.”

As the fifth man to drop in that day on Dec. 28, Alexander knew he would have to ski aggressively and toe the fine line between victory and disaster. Even top-notch athletes can be tempted to back off and play safe in

“It benefits me greatly [to compete with guys like that],” said Alexander. “We make each other better by just pushing each other each day in a positive way. We’re obviously all very competitive and we all have our own goals, but we understand that one guy skiing fast makes another guy ski fast. We use that to continue to push ourselves.”

“You only get one run in super-G, and you don’t get training runs, so you need to be able to execute right away.”

- CAMERON ALEXANDER

Bormio, but medals aren’t won that way, so he launched out of the gate with confidence.

Alexander slid into second place before the next racer bumped him to third. He then watched 52 other athletes try and fail to eject him from podium position.

Fellow WMSC members Jack Crawford and Brodie Seger wound up eighth and 46th, respectively.

‘I FEEL GOOD’

Like many of his fellow alpine daredevils, Alexander has paid a price in his quest for world-class glory. The North Vancouver native has two major knee injuries in his past: a torn ACL in December 2020 and a blown meniscus in 2022. He’s stayed the course, however, and continues to trend upward after a milestone World Championship bronze last

February.

“I feel good, and that gives me a lot of confidence in our team, our physio and our trainer,” said Alexander. “They’ve put a really good program together to get me to where I am right now. It took a lot of hard work, but it feels really good to get back to where I want to be.”

Alexander is also shoring up his skill set when it comes to his other main discipline: super-G. On Dec. 15, he put together a seventh-place effort in Val Gardena, Italy, nipping at the heels of Crawford who was sixth.

Things didn’t go quite as well on Jan. 12 in Wengen, Switzerland. Alexander found himself 40th in super-G that day— Crawford paced his compatriots at 13th place, and Jeffrey Read was the next-fastest Canadian in 26th.

“You only get one run in super-G, and you don’t get training runs, so you need to be able to execute right away,” Alexander explained. “You need to be able to just go out and trust your skin, and trust your inspection of the course right away, whereas in downhill, you have a little more time to fill out the course and have a real clear plan of what’s going to work. They’re both fast and they’re both still very fun to ski.” ■

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KOREA BOUND Kaia Hatton trains at the Whistler Sliding Centre, but will represent Britain at the 2024 Winter Youth Olympics.

PHOTO BY SVEN SCHMUTZLER/TBSV

Kaia Hatton becomes youngest luger to represent Britain internationally THE WHISTLER SLIDING CENTRE-BASED ATHLETE WILL COMPETE AT THE 2024 WINTER YOUTH OLYMPICS

BY DAVID SONG KAIA HATTON has trained at the Whistler Sliding Centre (WSC) since 2015 as one of many young athletes in the facility’s development pipeline. She recently took a big leap forward in her career, being named to Team Great Britain for the upcoming Winter Youth Olympics in Gangwon.

At 14 years old, Kaia will not only be the youngest of 31 athletes Britain is sending to South Korea this month, but also the youngest luger ever to represent the Union Jack at a major international event. She’ll be competing directly against two other WSC racers wearing Canadian livery: Ava Lucia Huerta and Maya Yuen. (A third, Bastian van Wouw, will drop in amongst men).

To say Kaia is thrilled would be a bit of an understatement.

“It’s super exciting. I never thought that I’d be able to go to an Olympics, and these aren’t the [big] Olympics but they’re still pretty cool,” she remarked. “I didn’t think I’d get this far in the sport, at this age. I just think [racing in Korea] is going to be good for new life experiences and meeting new people.”

Kaia has already met many of her compatriots via a meet-and-greet in England some weeks ago. As the only luger of the bunch, she’s brushed shoulders with ice dancers, figure skaters and hockey players alike, and looks forward to sharing an international spotlight with them. Her dad is over the moon, too, and with good reason.

Mark Hatton raced in two Olympic Games—2002 in Salt Lake City and 2006 in Torino—over the course of a 12-year luge career that also saw him win a pair of Commonwealth Games gold medals. Sliding is in the family’s blood, and today he coaches his daughter along with several other youngsters in Whistler.

“I’m really proud of [Kaia],” said Mark.

“She has exceeded her own expectations this

year and she is having so much fun sliding and going fast right now, which is what it’s all about. She has been surrounded by luge her entire life, so it’s not really a surprise that she went into the family business!”

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

‘10 TIMES MORE FUN’

Kaia grew to love the speed of sliding at a very young age—after all, there’s not many opportunities for a teenage girl to feel the adrenaline rush 125 kilometres/hour can bring. She might not have stayed the course, however, without the WSC’s quality of ice and instruction.

“Peter Iliev, my other coach right now [who’s a two-time Olympian from Bulgaria], he’s so good at teaching us how to interpret what’s coming at us when it’s just so fast,” Kaia said. “The medics are so friendly and all the athletes are friends with them. They’ll come up the outrun, give us high fives and ask how our run was, and they take such good care of you if anything goes wrong. The announcer on the PA system is such a great person, too.

“It makes the sport 10 times more fun when you actually enjoy it with people you love around you, and people that are there to care for you.”

Kaia also notes a harmonious relationship between Luge Canada and the Great Britain Luge Association, which allows her to train and travel with her longtime WSC teammates even though she now wears a different country’s colours on race day. Above all, she looks to her dad for guidance and inspiration.

“We’re definitely very close, and we spend a lot of time with each other,” Kaia said. “I like when he coaches me, because we can have such open conversations and we can get so deep into it. He understands what I like, what I don’t like, and we understand each other, so I think we make a pretty good team.”

Kaia and her fellow lugers hit the ice on Jan. 20 in Gangwon. She eagerly awaits her first training run on a new track and hopes to ultimately place in the top 10. ■

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29

EPICURIOUS

Introducing Provisions, Toptable’s latest contribution to Whistler’s food scene LOCATED ON THE VILLAGE STROLL, PROVISIONS IS A ‘NEIGHBOURHOOD CAFÉ’ WITH TAKEOUT AND RETAIL OPTIONS

BY SARAH STROTHER IT’S BEEN MONTHS (perhaps years?) in the making, with locals wondering what was behind the papered windows on the stroll.

Now, Toptable Group is celebrating the opening of its newest addition to the foodie scene in Whistler.

Sandwiched between Toptable’s evening and fine-dining establishments—Araxi and Bar Oso—Provisions Whistler is a new concept for the longstanding food-and-beverage operator: a casual café and retail takeout store open 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily.

Store manager, Hannah Bell, said Executive Chef James Walt’s idea behind Provisions was “to be able to give Toptable to the people of Whistler, and make Toptable and

PACK IT UP Provisions, the newest offering from Toptable Group, is officially open in Whistler Village.

PHOTO BY SARAH STROTHER

this fine-dining experience more accessible.”

So, what’s in store?

Provisions has a breakfast menu with a variety of egg sandwiches and healthier options like overnight steel cut oats and housemade granola; a lunch menu featuring more delicious sandwiches and their signature rotisserie chicken, sides and soup; a coffee bar; pastry and dessert offerings; and a retail section with refrigerated takeout options and more.

It’s a little bit of everything, and the Toptable team is looking to refine their menu and product offering as they learn.

“We’re feeling it out, see how it feels for staff, feel what the customers of Whistler are looking for,” said Bell.

“We’re starting simple and quite small, and looking to expand from there.”

It doesn’t feel small inside, however, with café seating for 30 and lots of room to stand at the coffee bar, or peruse the retail store items.

Stepping in the door to the coffee bar, Provisions uses a signature Thierry (Toptable’s chocolate shop in Vancouver) blend with beans from 49th Parallel. It’s the same blend

used in all Toptable restaurants, allowing customers to sip this signature blend any day of the week with an in-house or to-go cup.

Provisions is also offering a drip program, “going off the Whistler climate and knowing people want drip coffee ... for when they’re in a hurry and trying to ski,” Bell said.

“Also on the drinks side, we make our chai syrup in-house,” she added. “The chocolate sauce that we use for our mochas and hot chocolates is also made in-house, and we’re using Ranger Tea—a local company—and they source out matcha as well.”

They’ve also added an item to pay homage to all of the Australians in town, with an iced Milo Bell says has been selling well.

As far as the pastries, Bell explained Provisions has an in-house baking team whipping up the pastry items displayed, as well as all the buns and bread for the breakfast and lunch sandwiches.

“They’re making sourdough, they’re making breakfast buns in-house, and also doing the breads for Il Caminetto,” she said.

Likewise with the desserts, everything is made in-house by the pastry team, including

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the restaurant-favourite salted caramel budino from Il Caminetto, as well as the Basque cheesecake from Bar Oso. At 1 p.m., the rotisserie chickens are available to enjoy in-house, but Provisions also expects customers will “come off the mountain, get a whole chicken, a couple of sides, a bottle of wine and take it back to the B&B or hotel room,” Bell said.

Conveniently, Provisions has a small selection of wines for takeaway, making it a one-stop shop.

So far, Bell says the team has served a 50/50 mix of tourists and locals, and they’re getting great feedback from both.

“I can see there’s people who come in on their first day [of a vacation] and then they’re coming back to us three or four days in a row,” she said.

“And then the second-biggest feedback that we’ve been getting is, ‘this is what Whistler’s been missing,’ so I’m like, ‘Ah, you must be a local.’”

Stop by Provisions any day of the week from 8 to 3 p.m. and learn more at provisionswhistler.com. n

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ARTS SCENE

Snowed In Comedy Tour returns to Whistler Jan. 24 THE DAN QUINN-FOUNDED INDEPENDENT SHOW IS ENTERING ITS 15TH YEAR

BY DAVID SONG IF YOU’RE A COMEDY aficionado living in the Sea to Sky corridor, chances are you won’t want to miss the Snowed In Comedy Tour’s next visit to Whistler. The group performs Jan. 24 at 6:30 p.m. in the Maury Young Arts Centre.

Founded by former Just for Laughs winner Dan Quinn, Snowed In is entering its 15th year, and continues to distinguish itself in a comedic landscape dominated by American acts. This time around, Quinn will be joined by Great Canadian Laugh Off winner Paul Myrehaug, six-time Canadian Comedian of the Year nominee Pete Zedlacher and Erica Sigurdson, a regular on CBC’s The Debaters.

The crew has travelled the world, receiving acclaim in France, Switzerland, Australia, and the United States, but Whistler continues to be a mainstay of their itinerary. Once upon a time, Snowed In did up to four shows a week at the Garibaldi Lift Co., and its members loved it.

“Whistler was always that stop that we

SNOWFALL WARNING Members of the Snowed In Comedy Tour, left to right: Paul Myrehaug, Dan Quinn, Erica Sigurdson, and Pete Zedlacher.

PHOTO BY ROB PERRY

32 JANUARY 19, 2024

were so excited for,” says Myrehaug. “It’s an unbelievable town, and it was just something we all had marked on our calendars. It’s a chance to chill out, snowboard and spend time together. Whistler has always been something we look forward to every year.”

The Sea to Sky crowd reminds Myrehaug of Antwerp, in Belgium, which tends to boast a similar mix of European and American

places like the U.K., it really tested my mettle.

I had to grow some thick skin and become a better writer.

“I just finished some work in the Netherlands, which are famously the toughest crowds in the world—I would say they don’t really laugh. It was terrifying, but as a comedian, performing in other countries helped me grow exponentially.”

“Whistler was always that stop that we were so excited for.”

- PAUL MYREHAUG

expatriates. He and his fellows have enjoyed performing to a melting pot of various cultures, which gives them more material to draw from.

Not that doing stand-up comedy for a diverse audience is necessarily easy, mind you.

“It’s been scary as hell,” Myrehaug admits. “At first, I was kind of a cocky kid who [went overseas] and got smacked in the face immediately. Not all your jokes are going to work in other countries, and Canadians as audiences are ultra-friendly and very forgiving crowds. When I first started going to

‘A REALLY COOL STEP’

Myrehaug isn’t exactly sure when he joined Snowed In, but he remembers Quinn contacting him more than a decade ago to participate in a filmed segment. Weeks later, the Camrose, Alta. native got an invite to sign on full-time, and he hasn’t looked back.

Myrehaug praises Quinn not only for being a tremendous talent, but one of the few reliable business minds in the industry.

A lot of comedians tend to be easygoing, Type-B personalities, but Quinn has what it

takes to be the frontman for a thriving tour.

Snowed In visits more than 70 cities from coast to coast in North America alone, and he handles the emails, calls and marketing required to make it all tick.

The Vancouverite has certainly made his mark in helping an underdog comedy group stand the test of time.

That said, Myrehaug feels change is afoot.

“What I’ve noticed is that in other Western countries, there’s a system where tours use clubs [as a developmental circuit] before they take their shows into theatres, and I think that was lacking in Canada,” he remarks. “Maybe we had just a bit of a younger scene where groups stayed in clubs, which is fine. Now, you’re starting to see Snowed In and a lot of other tours bump up into theatres.

“There were a lot of pioneers ahead of us, but we would be the first independent ensemble tour that really caught heat and went across the country. It’s going to be really cool in the future for the younger comics coming into a system that’s now built, where you can go from clubs into theatres. Canadians are used to buying tickets now in theatres, and I think that’s a really cool step for Canada in maturing as a comedy scene.”

Learn more about Snowed In and its upcoming Whistler visit at snowedincomedytour.com. n

ARTS SCENE MARCH 1 & 2, 2024

Andrea Mueller reconciles past and present in ‘Inconsistent Memory’ THE EXHIBIT RUNS UNTIL JAN. 27 AT THE MAURY YOUNG ARTS CENTRE

BY DAVID SONG MEMORY,” Andrea Mueller’s latest exhibit, is not just a trip down the artist’s personal memory lane. It’s also a reflection on the fact our recollections— precious though they can be—are also imperfect links to a past that shapes who we are. Sea to Sky art enthusiasts can catch the new showcase at the Maury Young Arts Centre until Jan. 27.

“You want people to look at your work and relate to it. That’s kind of the point of creating artwork, depending on your art form,” Mueller says. “The series is an exploration and a reconciliation of childhood memories from an adult perspective … while at the same time, recognizing that a lot of the people that helped create those memories have either passed or are on their way out.”

Family was a key source of inspiration for the exhibit. Mueller’s grandfather, in his late 90s, used watercolour crayons to fill out a 100-page sketchbook that his granddaughter gifted him as a way to alleviate boredom.

The Ontario native was struck by the quirky depictions of wildlife, people, and fictitious beings she found in the book, and ideas began forming in her head.

Mueller makes a point to visit her grandparents’ farm each time she returns home. She’s always wanted to tell the story of that place and its people, for it was a cornerstone of her childhood summers and holidays. Although the farm remains, for the most part, a happy place for Mueller and her folks, she knew an authentic look at her past couldn’t be one-dimensional.

“I realized that I couldn’t call [the show] ‘Inconsistent Memory’ and only have super fun memories,” explains Mueller. “I revisited some that were not necessarily bad … but maybe I was a little bit afraid at that time, or maybe as a kid I didn’t really know what was going on.”

One such recollection involves one of the family’s old farm dogs having its way with garter snakes hatching in the summer. The collie would drag a snake out of the ditch and use it as a chew toy until it expired, then return to the writhing mass of reptiles for another. Mueller remembers being shocked by the sight as a young girl, and for some reason the image has stuck with her.

WHISTLER’S LEGENDARY FUNDRAISING EVENT!

“INCONSISTENT

‘A WHOLE DIFFERENT UNDERSTANDING’

All in all, Mueller found the process of revisiting and curating her childhood recollections to be quite cathartic.

“We remember bits and pieces of things, but when you go and actually talk to the people who were there for that memory— especially when they were adults and you were a child—it’s interesting to hear how they remember it, because it’s very different,” she says. “Even if you and your sibling experienced the same exact incident, they’ll

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PIECES OF THE PAST Andrea Mueller’s exhibit at the Maury Young Arts Centre, “Inconsistent Memory,” is a reflection upon her own childhood.

PHOTO COURTESY OF FREDY VALENCIA / ARTS WHISTLER

remember certain aspects of it more vividly than you will.

“Then coming back to [a memory] yourself as an adult and listening to other adult perspectives, you can relate to [what happened] in ways you couldn’t before.

You’re like: Oh, I have a whole different understanding of the way the world works, why you might have done that, why somebody might have felt a certain way.”

People change and remembrances change, but so too do the times. Mueller’s parents and most in their generation started families in their 20s, while many Sea to Sky folk in that age range are hitting the slopes by day and bars by night, with child-rearing far from their minds. In recognizing this, Mueller has gained respect for the pressures and demands in her parents’ and grandparents’ lives One more thing “Inconsistent Memory” has done is help Mueller diversify her alreadyeclectic portfolio. Recently, she fielded a call from someone who identified her as “the artist who does the bears,” but Mueller knows she’s much more than that.

“I think you can get pigeonholed very easily, especially if you’re trying to do commercial work, and we’re all trying to get food for our kids so you have to make money somehow,” she says. “I think it’s nice to be able to remember that you’re not just ‘the bear artist’ and come up with a series that expresses more from a personal side.

If somebody would like to buy something [from Inconsistent Memory], that’s fantastic, but I didn’t create any of that work with the mindset that it was for sale.”

Learn more about the exhibit at artswhistler.com/calendar-upcoming/andreamueller-inconsistent-memory. n

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ASCEND GALA PRESENTED BY SAMSUNG Roundhouse Lodge, Whistler Mountain

6:45pm-midnight | $275 (incl. tax) Ignite your imagination and join us back at the top of Whistler Mountain as we explore a world above the clouds. The event has it all – dinner, cocktails, dancing, live entertainment, and an auction hosted by celebrity auctioneer Jon Montgomery. You truly don’t want to miss this magically unique experience. Come dream with us!

To purchase tickets or sign up a team, please visit: WHISTLERBLACKCOMBFOUNDATION.COM

JANUARY 19, 2024

33

ARTS SCENE PIQUE’S GUIDE TO LOCAL EVENTS & NIGHTLIFE Here’s a quick look at some events happening in Whistler this week and beyond.

FIND MORE LOCAL EVENT LISTINGS (and submit your own for free!) at piquenewsmagazine.com/local-events

Roland's Pub is open for lunch Wednesdays & Thursdays from 11:30am!

Join our lunch club!

Get 10 stamps on your lunch card and your 11th lunch is free* (Restrictions apply) Children are welcome everyday until 10pm, so bring the kids in for brunch on the weekends from 11am - 2pm.

WHISTLER PRIDE PHOTO COURTESY OF THE WHISTLER MUSEUM PRIDE COLLECTION

WHISTLER PRIDE AND SKI FESTIVAL Whistler is proud to host the annual Whistler Pride and Ski Festival, celebrating its 31st year in 2024. One of the biggest and best gay and lesbian ski weeks in North America, the LGBTQI pride week features a packed events schedule of skiing, snowboarding and social events. > Jan. 21 to 28 > Multiple venues > Varies

OAKLEY COMMUNITY DAYS Oakley Community Days is an incredible weekend of events to kick off the start of the snow sport season, with community events, fun on the slopes and so much more!

On Saturday, Jan. 20, take in the Community Run with Team Oakley athletes including Sammy Carlson, Craig McMorris, Finn Iles and more. Head to the Whistler Terrain Park at 2 p.m. to join—invite is open to all!

And on Sunday, Jan. 21, the Peak 2 Peak Celebration takes place from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Peak 2 Peak Gondola.

The Oakley Hub at Skier’s Plaza will be in Whistler Village all weekend from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m, with goggle demos also taking place outside the Roundhouse and The Rendezvous (4545 Blackcomb Way).

And don’t forget the Golden Ticket Challenge! Oakley will hide one ticket per day on the alpine hiking and running trails. Lucky winners who find the ticket can then redeem it for a prize at the Oakley Store in Whistler Village. Team Oakley athletes Sage Kotsenberg and Jamie Anderson will be hanging out throughout the weekend, in addition to Logan Pehota, Sammy Carlson, Craig McMorris, and Finn Iles, who will also be popping in and out. > Jan. 18 to 21 > Whistler Blackcomb > Free

SWEDISH AFTERSKI Tuesdays are for the Swedish! Don’t miss out on the ultimate après-ski celebration! A local tradition for nine years, come and party like the Europeans do. Celebrate a day on the slopes with dancing and singalongs. > Jan. 23, 2:30 to 7 p.m. > Longhorn Saloon & Grill

BIG LAUGHS COMEDY NIGHT WHISTLER WITH SIMON KING & GUESTS Do not miss your chance to see Simon King live! Simon has been called “one of the greatest comedians of his generation,” and it’s easy to see why. With credits including HBO, Just For Laughs, Comedy Central, and many more, this comedy veteran brings a unique, edgy, energetic, intelligent style to the stage that is unmatched anywhere in stand-up comedy. > Jan. 20, 7 to 9 p.m. > Maury Young Arts Centre > $32.09

WORLD SNOW DAY Celebrate the International Day of Snow with fun free activities for children. Come out and try a variety of winter sports such as XC skiing, snowshoeing, snow luge*, sit-ski with Whistler Adaptive, bean-bag, biathlon and building snow forts (weather permitting). *Ski helmet required for snow luge. Free event with park entry. Everyone entering Whistler Olympic Park needs a valid day ticket or season pass. > Jan. 21, 12 to 2:30 p.m. > Whistler Olympic Park, Callaghan Valley > Free with park entry

THE 2023-2024 PEMBERTON GUIDE on stands now!

AN OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF

34 JANUARY 19, 2024

PARTIAL RECALL

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1

3

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5

1 GOODS DELIVERED The wait is officially over after a small handful of winter storms delivered the goods to Whistler Blackcomb—to the delight of locals and visitors alike. PHOTO BY MATTHEW SYLVESTRE / COURTESY OF WHISTLER BLACKCOMB 2 HAPPY ANNIVERSARY The Marsh family, Jerry, Mandy, and Sana, celebrates the 20th anniversary of Creekside Market on Monday, Jan. 15. PHOTO BY JOANNA LEGASTO 3 THINGS ARE LOOKING UP Whistler’s picturesque, winter wonderland viewscapes are once again on the menu after some much-needed winter storms. PHOTO BY SCOTT TIBBALLS 4 KEEPING WARM Pepper’s got the cure for extended arctic outflow warnings—mid-day naps with the human. PHOTO

BY GEORGIA BUTLER 5 FROM DAWN UNTIL DUSK Photographer and graphic designer Gary Martin captured this stunning shot of Mount Currie at dusk. PHOTO BY GARY MARTIN

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

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35

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING ELECTORAL AREA C

Monday, January 29, 2024 at 7PM via Zoom Public Notice is hereby given in accordance with Section 466 of the Local Government Act that a public hearing will be held electronically regarding the following bylaws: 1. Squamish-Lillooet Regional District Electoral Area C Official Community Plan Bylaw No. 689, 1999, Amendment Bylaw No. 1825-2023; and 2. Squamish-Lillooet Regional District Electoral Area C Zoning Bylaw No. 765, 2002, Amendment Bylaw No. 1826-2023.

PURPOSE OF BYLAW 1825-2023 & BYLAW 1826-2023 The bylaws are associated with an application to amend the zoning and designation at 2559 Blackwater Road, a 4-ha parcel, to reduce minimum parcel size in order for future subdivision to be possible. The SLRD is proposing to rezone from Rural 1 (Resource Management) where the minimum parcel size is 40 ha, to Rural 3, where the minimum parcel size is 1.5 ha, as well as to re-designated from Resource Management to Rural Residential. These changes will enable a future subdivision into up to two lots.

The area covered by Bylaw 1825-2023 and Bylaw 1826-2023 is 2559 Blackwater Rd - DISTRICT LOT 2160 LILLOOET DISTRICT as show on the map below:

PUBLIC PARTICIPATION 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 not including weekends and statutory holidays, or by requesting an electronic copy from planning@slrd.bc.ca. All persons who believe that their interest in the property is affected by the proposed bylaw shall be afforded a reasonable opportunity to present written submissions respecting matters contained in the bylaw.

1. Submit Written Comments to the Board: Written submissions must be addressed to “SLRD Board of Directors,” and include your name and community of residence. Until 4:00 pm on January 29, 2024, written submissions (mail or email) will be received at the following: Email: Hard Copy:

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

2. Participate via Zoom: The public hearing will take place electronically on January 29, 2024, at 7PM via Zoom. Log-in details will be posted to the SLRD notice page: www.slrd.bc.ca/inside-slrd/notices three days prior to the Public Hearing.

You may also email the Planning Department three days prior to the Public Hearing at planning@slrd.bc.ca to request the Zoom hearing access information.

36 JANUARY 19, 2024

MUSEUM MUSINGS

Sunday shopping in Whistler

BY ALLYN PRINGLE AS A RESORT TOWN , we’re pretty used to finding shops, restaurants, and recreation facilities open most days, including weekends and most holidays. In the 1980s, the idea of shopping on Sunday was debated in municipalities across British Columbia and, in some places, could be quite divisive. When the Grocery Store was getting ready to open in January 1981, it was unclear whether it could technically be open seven days a week.

The first federal legislation governing Sunday operations, the Lord’s Day Act, was introduced in 1907, and prohibited “commercial activity” on Sundays with few exceptions. Because of jurisdictional debate, provinces also created their own versions of this type of legislation, often called “blue laws.” These laws were becoming less popular by the 1950s, and by the ’60s, some municipalities were petitioning the provincial government to amend their charters to allow certain commercial activities on Sundays. In Vancouver, for example, people voted to allow sports such as baseball games in 1958, and later entertainment such as movies in 1962.

In late 1980, the provincial government under premier Bill Bennett and the Social Credit Party passed the Holiday Shopping Regulations Act (HSRA), which banned shopping on Sundays and on holidays with some exceptions, but allowed municipalities to hold referendums to approve a local bylaw to allow Sunday shopping.

At first, Whistler’s mayor and council felt a referendum would not be necessary due to the exclusions included in the Act, though it was unclear whether resorts were in fact excluded.

Many businesses in Whistler had operated on Sundays for years without issue, often with Sunday as their busiest day of the week, and most continued to do so. Following protests by businesses in Vancouver’s Gastown who wanted to continue opening on Sundays, and with the threat of a $10,000 fine (adjusted for inflation, more than $30,000 today), council held a special meeting on Jan. 12, 1981, and gave the first three readings to Bylaw 197, which would allow for the operation of retail businesses on holidays and Sundays. Once approved by the provincial government, a referendum would be held to determine the fate of Sunday shopping in the resort.

The Whistler Question dedicated multiple editorials to the issue of Sunday shopping and the HSRA. On Jan. 15, the paper stated “Businesses continue to operate seven days a week as they always have and while we are not an historic site (yet), we are a recreational one and should therefore also be exempted from the asinine regulations.”

The paper also pointed out some of the exceptions from HSRA were unclear, depending on whether you defined a number of employees as those working at one given time or all who were on the payroll. In one example, the exclusion of businesses offering rentals of sports and recreation equipment and goods did not mention what would

HOLIDAY IN THE SUN “Open Daily” signs did not have to come down after Whistler voters decided to support Sunday and holiday shopping.

WHISTLER QUESTION COLLECTION, 1981

happen if the businesses also sold such items, leading the Question to ask, “Does this mean you can rent skis but you can’t buy goggles on a Sunday?”

After the referendum was announced for February, the Question encouraged eligible voters to get out and support the proposed bylaw.

“It is obvious to us that the future of Whistler as a ski area, never mind a fullfledged destination resort, hinges on the continual operation of all stores on Sundays and holidays,” read one editorial.

“Just remember that when you are on vacation, you expect every day to be the same, and this is true for Sundays also.”

It turned out Sunday shopping was not a very divisive issue in Whistler, though it would take years and hotly debated votes to approve similar bylaws in other municipalities. Four hundred and four voters (about 30 per cent of eligible voters) voted in the referendum: 393 for; seven spoiled (they were all in favour, but marked a tick instead of an “x”); and four against. The result was a 99-per-cent majority, and by the end of February, Bylaw 197 was officially adopted, making Sunday shopping unequivocally legal in Whistler.

In 1985, the Lord’s Day Act was ruled to contravene the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, and in the late 1980s, a court made a similar decision to end B.C.’s provincial laws banning Sunday and holiday opening hours. n

ASTROLOGY

Free Will Astrology WEEK OF JANUARY 19 BY ROB BREZSNY

ARIES (March 21-April 19): Aries chemist Percy Julian

(1899–1975) was a trailblazer in creating medicine from plants. He patented more than 130 drugs and laid the foundation for the production of cortisone and birth control pills. Julian was also a Black man who had to fight relentlessly to overcome the racism he encountered everywhere. I regard him as an exemplary member of the Aries tribe, since he channeled his robust martial urges toward constructive ends again and again and again. May he inspire you in the coming weeks, dear Aries. Don’t just get angry or riled up. Harness your agitated spirit to win a series of triumphs.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): Taurus actor Pierce Brosnan says, “You struggle with money. You struggle without money. You struggle with love. You struggle without love. But it’s how you manage. You have to keep laughing, you have to be fun to be with, and you have to live with style.” Brosnan implies that struggling is a fundamental fact of everyday life, an insistent presence that is never far from our awareness. But if you’re willing to consider the possibility that his theory may sometimes be an exaggeration, I have good news: The coming months could be less filled with struggle than ever before. As you deal with the ease and grace, I hope you will laugh, be fun to be with, and live with style—without having to be motivated by ceaseless struggle.

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): Gemini author and activist William Upski Wimsatt is one of my role models. Why? In part, because he shares my progressive political ideals and works hard to get young people to vote for enlightened candidates who promote social justice. Another reason I love him is that he aspires to have 10,000 role models.

Not just a few celebrity heroes, but a wide array of compassionate geniuses working to make the world more like paradise. The coming weeks will be an excellent time for you to gather new role models, dear Gemini. I also suggest you look around for new mentors, teachers, and inspiring guides.

CANCER (June 21-July 22): I want you to fulfil your desires! I want you to get what you want! I don’t think that yearnings are unspiritual indulgences that divert us from enlightenment. On the contrary, I believe our longings are sacred homing signals guiding us to our highest truths. With these thoughts in mind, here are four tips to enhance your quests in the coming months: 1. Some of your desires may be distorted or superficial versions of deeper, holier desires. Do your best to dig down and find their heart source. 2. To help manifest your desires, visualize yourself as having already accomplished them. 3. Welcome the fact that when you achieve what you want, your life will change in unpredictable ways. You may have to deal with a good kind of stress. 4.

Remember that people are more likely to assist you in getting what you yearn for if you’re not greedy and grasping.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): I regard Leo psychologist Carl Jung (1875–1961) as a genius with a supreme intellect.

Here’s a quote from him I want you to hear: “We should not pretend to understand the world only by the intellect; we apprehend it just as much by feeling. Therefore, the judgment of the intellect is, at best, only the half of truth, and must, if it be honest, also come to an understanding of its inadequacy.” You may already believe this wisdom in your gut, Leo. But like all of us, you live in a culture filled with authorities who value the intellect above feeling. So it’s essential to be regularly reminded of the bigger truth— especially for you right now. To make righteous decisions, you must respect your feelings as much as your intellect.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Poet Rainer Maria Rilke exalted the physical pleasure that sex brings. He mourned that so many “misuse and squander this experience and apply it as a stimulant to the tired spots of their lives and as a distraction instead of a rallying toward exalted moments.” At its best, Rilke said, sex gives us “a knowing of the world, the fullness and the glory of all knowing.” It is

a sublime prayer, an opportunity to feel sacred communion on every level of our being. That’s the erotic experience I wish for you in the coming weeks, Virgo. And I believe you will have an expanded potential for making it happen.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): Even if you are currently bonded with a spouse or partner, I recommend you consider proposing matrimony to an additional person: yourself.

Yes, dear Libra, I believe the coming months will be prime time for you to get married to your own precious soul. If you’re brave enough and crazy enough to carry out this daring move, devote yourself to it with lavish abandon.

Get yourself a wedding ring, write your vows, conduct a ceremony, and go on a honeymoon. If you’d like inspiration, read my piece “I Me Wed”: tinyurl.com/SelfMarriage.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Talking about a problem can be healthy. But in most cases, it should be a preliminary stage that leads to practical action; it shouldn’t be a substitute for action. Now and then, however, there are exceptions to this rule. Mere dialogue, if grounded in mutual respect, may be sufficient to dissolve a logjam and make further action unnecessary. The coming days will be such a time for you, Scorpio. I believe you and your allies can talk your way out of difficulties.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Sagittarian cartoonist Charles M. Schulz wrote, “My life has no purpose, no direction, no aim, no meaning, and yet I’m happy. I can’t figure it out. What am I doing right?” I suspect that in 2024, you may go through a brief phase similar to his: feeling blank, yet quite content. But it won’t last.

Eventually, you will be driven to seek a passionate new sense of intense purpose. As you pursue this reinvention, a fresh version of happiness will bloom. For best results, be willing to outgrow your old ideas about what brings you gladness and gratification.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): We all go through phases that feel extra plodding and pedestrian. During these times, the rhythms and melodies of our lives seem drabber than usual. The good news is that I believe you Capricorns will experience fewer of these slowdowns than usual in 2024. The rest of us will be seeing you at your best and brightest on a frequent basis. In fact, the gifts and blessings you offer may flow toward us in abundance.

So it’s no coincidence if you feel exceptionally well-loved during the coming months. PS: The optimal way to respond to the appreciation you receive is to ratchet up your generosity even higher.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): In the fall of 1903, The New York Times published an article that scorned human efforts to develop flying machines. It prophesied that such a revolutionary technology was still at least a million years in the future—possibly 10 million years.

In conclusion, it declared that there were better ways to apply our collective ingenuity than working to create such an unlikely invention. Nine weeks later, Orville and Wilbur Wright disproved that theory, completing a flight with the airplane they had made. I suspect that you, Aquarius, are also primed to refute an expectation or prediction about your supposed limitations. (Afterward, try not to gloat too much.)

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): Your sweat and tears are being rewarded with sweets and cheers. Your diligent, detailed work is leading to expansive outcomes that provide relief and release. The discipline you’ve been harnessing with such panache is spawning breakthroughs in the form of elegant liberations. Congrats, dear Pisces!

Don’t be shy about welcoming in the fresh privileges flowing your way. You have earned these lush dividends.

Homework: Indulge in “Healthy Obsessions”—not “Melodramatic Compulsions” or “Exhausting Crazes.”

Newsletter.FreeWillAstrology.com.

In addition to this column, Rob Brezsny creates

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

JANUARY 19, 2024

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• Computer Systems Technician – GIS starting wage of $38.07 an hour

• Program Leader - Myrtle Philip Community Centre starting wage of $27.57 an hour

Resort Municipality of Whistler whistler.ca/careers

A public information meeting will be held by

Stark Architecture for the Rezoning Application for

7451 and 7453 Frontier St, Pemberton on Thursday 1st February in the Pemberton Community Centre, Activity Room D from 6:30pm to 8:30pm.

» piquenewsmagazine.com/jobs

For more information about the application, please see the Village of Pemberton’s website under current development applications.

WE LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOU THERE. JANUARY 19, 2024

39

Lil’wat Nation

Employment Opportunities Ullus Community Centre • • • • • • • •

Advanced Education Registrar ($38,038 - $53,599 per year) Administrative Assistant, Language and Culture ($38,038 - $53,599 per year) Band social development worker assistant ($17.10 to $20.90 per hour ) Financial Reporting Manager ($93,475.20 - $101,556 per year) Family Enhancement Worker ($38,038 - $53,599 per year) Accounts Receivable Coordinator ($38,038 - $53,599 per year) Transition House Support Worker ($20.90 to $29.45 per hour) Administrative Assistant, Lands and Resources ($38,038 - $53,599 per year)

Xet’òlacw Community School • Substitute Teacher( $32.02 to $58.36 per hour) • Social Worker/ Counsellor ($80,371.20 to @91,673.40 per year)

Lil’wat Health & Healing • Nurse Manager ($59,878 - $99,717.80 per year) • Assistant Health Director ($93,475.20 - $101,556 per year)

Lil’wat Business Group • Cashier ($17.10 to $18.50 per hour)

Benefits Pension Plan • Employee Assistance Program • Gym facility Extended Health Benefits • Professional Development Please visit our career page for more information: https://lilwat.ca/careers/

Vacasa’s forward-thinking approach and industry-leading technology help set us apart as the largest full-service vacation rental company in North America.

Whistler’s premier visitor magazine is on stands now!

We are seeking individuals with a passion for providing exceptional vacation experiences for our Owners and Guests.

We offer competitive wages and benefits: Travel allowance for Squamish/Pemberton-based employees OR Ski Pass/Activity allowance, Extended Medical, RRSP match, Fun & Safe Work Environment-Great Team, opportunities to grow and more.

Housekeeping Supervisor (**SIGNING BONUS** $1000 FT) $24.50 per hour Full Time all year round

Look for our Winter 2024 Issue!

40 JANUARY 19, 2024

Find it on select stands and in Whistler hotel rooms.

Apply online today! https://www.vacasa.com/careers/positions or email: paul.globisch@vacasa.com or call to find out more details at 604-698-0520 We thank all applicants for their interest but only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

SHARE YOUR 1 8 3 PASSION 4 1 2

5 4 4 2 GOLF MAINTENANCE OPPORTUNITIES

2 8 5

3

We’re hiring for the following specialized positions on our Golf Maintenance team for the 2024 summer season: • Irrigation Technician (Full Time, Seasonal, $23 - $26 per hour) • Head Gardener (Full Time, Seasonal, $21 - $24 per hour)

6

9

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Come build with 8 team.

7the best 8 7

Summer Seasonal

Experience a summer like no other in Whistler! The Whistler Golf Club is an Arnold Palmer designed course, situated just a short walk from Whistler Village. In concert with Mr. Palmer’s “go for it” attitude when he played, we believe the golf experience we provide should be fun, entertaining, accessible, and memorable. To that end, we are looking for employees who have an engaging and outgoing personality and can get truly “cranked up” everyday to deliver our branded service experience.

7

8

4 6 1 5 8 2

3

4

3 6 5 1 team of people is what sets us apart8 from other builders. As we continue 5 to grow as 2 9Our 7 the leader in luxury projects in Whistler, our team needs to expand with us.

We are currently hiring: Experienced Carpenters 1 4 3 4 1$30 -2$45.50/hourly.

9 Wage 7 based 3 on experience. Red Seal is a bonus, but not mandatory. is committed 9 7 EVR 3 to the long-term retention and7skills8development 5 of our 9 team: We are passionate about investing in our team’s future.

EASY

# 29

EASY

# 30

We offer: • Top Wages • Training & Tuition Reimbursement (Need help getting your Red Seal?)

• $500 Annual Tool Allowance • Extended Health and Dental Benefits (Also includes Family Benefits.)

• Flexible Schedule - Work Life Balance. (We get it. We love to ski and bike too.)

• Assistance with Work Visa and Permanent Residency (We can help.)

• Positive Work Environment

• Grounds Maintenance (Full Time & Part Time, Seasonal, $20 - $23 per hour) What we offer: a fun team and work environment, competitive compensation package, and free golf at our legendary course!

TO VIEW OUR OPPORTUNITIES, AND TO APPLY, VISIT US ONLINE AT: WHISTLERGOLF.COM/CAREERS.

2 1 6 Dental Reception/ 5 3 Administration

7 2 4 7 We promote from within and are looking to strengthen our amazing team. Opportunities for 4 7 2 9 6 advancement into management positions always exist for the right candidates. Don’t miss out on being able to build with the team that builds the most significant projects in Whistler.

Position available: 6 7 8 5 8 6 3 Send your resume to info@evrfinehomes.com We look forward to hearing previous dental/medical from reception experience 8 1you!

3 9 2 5 preferred.

7 to 8 2 1 3 Please send4 resume www.evrfinehomes.com info@atwelldental.com 3 9 7 4 5 8 1 6 3 6 1 7 2 8 1 4 8 5 4 3 3 9 5 is 8 2 5 Sushi Village hiring experienced Japanese Chefs in Whistler.4 • Preparing Sushi and cooking other Japanese traditional food.

• Plan menu and food meets quality standards. # ensure 31 EASY • Estimate food requirements and estimate food and labour costs.

• Instruct Kitchen Helpers and Cooks in preparation, cooking, and presentation of food.

• Supervise Cooks and Kitchen helpers.

• Assist Head Chef with recruiting and hiring kitchen staff • Inspecting ingredients for quality and freshness and supervising all food preparation.

• Create new menus and specials.

• Ensure excellent customer services at the Sushi bar.

• Work as a team and ensure orders are completed in timely manner.

EASY

Alpenglow Dental is hiring a RECEPTIONIST! This position is a permanent part-time or full-time position to start ASAP. Wage is competitive, according to work experience and # 29 # 30 1 2 6the 8 9option 5 3 4 7of certification with 9 3 8 7 4 1 2 5 6 extended health 7 5 4 3benefits.

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

Please email your 8 9 cover 7 1 5 letter 3 4 6 2and 5 1 3 to 6 2 4 7 9 8 resume 3 8 5 2 1 6 9 7 4 manager@alpenglowdental.ca 2 7 1 4 3 9 6 8 5 6 4 9 5 8 7 1 2 3

www.sudoku.com

8 4 1 6 2 7 9 5 3

Qualifications: • Completion of secondary school and minimum of 3 years of experience as a cook/chef Full-time,#Permanent, 31 7 3 5 2 4 6 1 9 2 All 1 season 3 4 6 8 5 9 7 Language: English 6 2 3 9 1 5 8 7 9 8 7 5 3 1 2 6 4 40 hours per week • $27.50 per hour 5 9 6 7 8 3 2 4 5 4 6 9 2 7 8 3 1 pay, Extended benefits 1 5 4Benefits: 8 7 24%9vacation 3 6 5 8paid 2 by7 the 9 employer.

4 1 3 (Dental, disability, health care, paramedical and Vision care) 9 8 1 3 Bonus, 6 4 Gratuities, 7 5 Pension Plan, Free 4 Parking, 7 9 1Staff 5 housing.

3 6 8 2 3 4 9 5 2 8 6 1 1 3 2 8 4 6 9 7 5 8 6 7 4 3 1 5 2Start date: As soon 7as possible.

2 1 6 8 5 3 4 9 4 1 2 6Address: 9 7 310, 811 – 4340 Sundial Place, 8 9Whistler, 5 3 BC, 1 V8E 4 71G52 6 2 7 8 1 5 9 Apply 4 6 by email at info@sushivillage.com 3 6 4 7 9 2 1 5 8

Page 8 of 25

# 32

piquenewsmagazine.com/ local-events/

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Answers 6 7 1 4 5 2 3 8 9

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JANUARY 19, 2024 41 4/11/2005

Staff Accommodation, Perks and Benefits

SUPERVISOR, GUEST SERVICES

Whistler Olympic Park is hiring a Supervisor, Guest Services in the coordination of all sales and bookings of seasonal programs and activities, rental products, as well as summer visitor and campground bookings

NOW HIRING!

Our ideal candidate: Has experience with customer service in outdoor recreation and sport program delivery Is organized, proactive and enjoys working as part of a team Has supervisory experience including recruitment, training and performance management

Full Time Meat Manager

What we offer:

($64,480 – $76,960 (+ benefits) depending on experience)

Staff accommodation options Benefit package & perks incl. health & wellness options, WB season pass financing & more Wage commensurate with experience starts at $26/hr

Full Time Assistant Meat Manager ($54,080 – $70,720 (+ benefits) depending on experience)

Our Team enjoys: ü

Flexible schedules

ü

Training and experience

ü

Substantial Employee Discount Card & Benefits

ü

Prime location in Pemberton

ü

Short commute = less time, more $$$

APPLY NOW! whistlerolympicpark.com/careers

Download or fill out our online application at https://www.pembertonsupermarket.com/ about/employment/ or stop by the store and we will give you an application to fill out.

You can also email us at jobs@pembertonsupermarket.com or call us at 604-894-3663.

We are looking to hire another member to our team at Straightline.

Experience in Plumbing is required. Gas Fitting and HVAC would be preferred but not essential.

Wages are based on experience.

Part-time or Full-time positions available.

We've Got You Covered VISITORS’ GUIDE 2017-2018 FREE

Please call 604-935-8771 or email straightlineplumbingandheating@gmail.com for more information.

Why Work at Whistler Waldorf School?

We’re Hiring! Experienced Carpenters

• Competitive Wages & Full Benefits • Supportive & Collaborative Team • Tuition remission for children • School working schedule with summers off

Currently looking for a: • Middle School Teacher (Grade 5-9) • High School Math & Science View whistlerwaldorf.com/employment Email principal@whistlerwaldorf.com

ARE YOU LOOKING FOR A NEW CAREER IN CONSTRUCTION? WANT TO COME AND WORK FOR A GREAT TEAM WITH LOTS OF ROOM FOR CAREER GROWTH? APPLY TO CONNECT@TMBUILDERS.CA BENEFITS, FULL TIME WORK, WAGES $30-$45 BASED ON EXPERIENCE

42 JANUARY 19, 2024

Coordinator, Accounts Manager, Safety and Receivable – Maternity Leave Compliance Thisposition positionwill provides accounts receivable invoicinginand This provide leadership and compliance the collections,ofmonthly sheet and bank reconciliations, prevention incidentbalance injury and illnesses across all operations overseeing dailyfor revenue audit and analytical reporting and Venues the Whistler Olympic Legacy venues for Whistler Sport Legacies in the Finance Department

Our ideal candidate: Our ideal candidate has experience in: (CRSP) certification • Canadian Registered Safety Professional • OFA III, (or equivalent) CPR / First Aid Certification 3+ years general accounting or accounts receivable • Knowledge of BC regulatory framework of health, safety and • Accounts Receivable invoicing and collections environment • Month end reconciliations including all bank and balance • Leadership: creative, innovative, demonstrates initiative and sheet accounts leads change •• Organizational Financial analysis and POS system reporting management, partnership and community development skills What we offer:

What we offer:

• • • •

Brand new affordable staff accommodation Brand new affordable staff accommodation Competitive $56,000/year start wage plus benefits Competitive $70,000/year start wage plus benefits

CIVIL CONSTRUCTION AND SNOW SERVICES BUILDING AN EXCELLENT COMPANY, PEOPLE, RELATIONSHIPS, AND RESULTS

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CAREER OPPORTUNITIES HYDROVAC OPERATOR, Squamish - Valid Class 1 or Class 3 with air brakes required. Manual transmission. 2 years experience preferred. $32-$37 per hour.

HEAVY EQUIPMENT OPERATOR, Squamish - Minimum 5 years or 5,000 hours operating experience on excavator. Full-time, Monday – Friday. $33-$42 per hour.

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whistlersportlegacies.com/careers Looking to adopt?

For an updated list of who is available, check out our website.

HEAVY DUTY EQUIPMENT MECHANIC, Whistler – Red Seal Certified, Commercial Truck & Transport, Transport Trailer required. CVSE Inspector’s ticket, Air Conditioning ticket, Class 1 or 3 with air brakes, and several years’ experience preferred. $37.70-$39.80 per hour.

NATIONAL CONSTRUCTION SAFETY OFFICER – NCSO® Designation and commitment to building on existing OHS program with team required. We are COR® Certified. $32-$35 per hour.

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Y APPL

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Get noticed!

WE ARE

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Staff Accommodation, Perks and Benefits

Supervisor, Whistler Athletes’ Centre

Looking for a great job and accommodation in Whistler?

Join our team at the Whistler Athletes’ Centre, an accommodation venue catering to athletes, sport groups and outdoor enthusiasts. As part of our amazing team, you will be working with guests from all over the world, with the convenience of staff accommodation within easy walking distance.

Our ideal candidate: • • • • •

Professional and friendly Strong leadership skills Passion for exceptional guest service Multitasker who enjoys working in a fast paced environment Flexibility to work evenings and on weekends

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Competitive wage $26/hour Affordable staff accommodation Benefits package including dental and wellness Recreational allowance & ski season pass financing Industry discounts on apparel

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HIRING! CERTIFIED DENTAL ASSISTANTS $30-35/Hour Full or Part Time Available Relocation Bonus Available Send Your Resume To Us liz@whistlerdental.com APPLY NOW

MORE INFORMATION whistlerdental.com/careers

JANUARY 19, 2024

43

PUZZLES ACROSS 1 6 10 15 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 31 33 35 36 37 39 41 44 45 48 53 54 55 57 58 59 60 61 63 64 65 66 68 70 71

Penniless Apple computer Distress signal Rub against Sensational Detective -- Wolfe Biblical mount Easily accomplished Noted violin maker Plantation Factory Hard to believe Offer at auctions Worry Urgent request Held Antlered animals Perjurer Look Caustic material Insurance document Work in verse Link animals Mistake With eyes fixed Entice European peninsula Fiend Plant bristle Far-reaching “I Only Have Eyes -You” Diminutive suffix -- mater Observe Silent performer Foul smelling Roll call reply Part of Scand.

Now and again office

worker 72 Feared 74 Cupola 76 Most desirable 79 Peer 81 Roulette bet 83 Join a certain way 87 Jeweled headband 88 Ladder part 89 First (abbr.)

91 Cruise ship 92 “-- and Cleopatra” 94 Battery fluid 96 Squander 97 Of a cereal grain 98 Rank 100 Lift 102 Baseball great Willie -104 No longer working (abbr.)

107 Decorative case 109 Call to mind 110 Honeybee genus 111 Box for bricks 114 Discord deity 116 Edge 118 Native of (suffix) 119 Gentle 120 Lots of dough 121 Lopsided 123 Simple drawing 125 Reveal 126 Auto body part 127 Make free of frost (hyph.)

128 Nonpareil 129 “Exodus” author 130 Card game for four players 131 Curtain call 133 Stood wide open 136 Kindling 137 Connections

1

5 4 4 2 3 6

141 144 145 146 149 151 153 155 157 158 159 160 161 162 163 164

Rounded handle Hill’s peak Soften Emeril’s exclamation Fleet of warships Prize Actress -- Falco Uncanny Big name in circuses Furthers Bagel Poolside attraction Start fighting (2 wds.)

“To say the --!”

Bark Satiny

DOWN 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 23 30 32 34 36

8

Tell secrets Persian poet Toward the mouth Set of parts Imposing building Guess Supermarket section Abbr. in a schedule Far from simple Skiers’ destination Pastel color Santa -Out-and-out Little bit Arroz -- pollo Fabled racer Name in Genesis Antiaircraft fire Fish sometimes pickled Obligation Sunbeam Take it on the -Like some skirts Singer -- Minnelli

3 4 1 2 2 8 5

37 38 40 41 42 43 44 46 47 49 50 51 52 54 55 56 59 60 62 65 66 67 69 71 72 73 75 76 77 78 80 82 84 85 86 90 93 95 96 99 101 103

7

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

EASY

# 29

Creature with horns Potato bud Omelet ingredient Free ticket Gothic arch “Better -- than never” Affectation Mine’s output -- and kin Cry of discovery Close down business Be in a rage -- vital Vacation vehicle Jot Figure on a cake Vitality Think Greek god of love Actress -- Griffith Easily hurt Go off course Hires Kind of magical card Dolt Doltish Inventor -- Howe “Give -- -- whirl” Noise Break a fast Sine -- non Insect egg Loan charge (abbr.)

Middling grade Eagle Place of worship Himalayan legend Lucifer Boat-made wave Item-by-item report Ballot Succor

104 105 106 108 110 111 112 113 115 117 119 120 122 124 125 126 129 130

Interpret Irish Gaelic Polynesian idol Desktop pic Ventilates Buck’s mate Designer -- Cassini Proofing notation “Just a --!”

Garden tool -- of honor Remunerated Intricate trap Thirsty Pale ale producer Superior skill Numero -Feather scarf

132 134 135 136 137 138 139 140 142 143 145 146 147 148 150 152 154 156

“It’s all right with me” Touches on Take forcefully Young canine Keep -- on Dies -Release Season Jelly bean shape Bunyan’s blue ox Money drawer Cheese variety Assistant Docile -- volente Pasture Female animal Building wing

LAST WEEKS’ ANSWERS

6 7

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

8 5

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

EASY

3 1

# 30

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

LEVEL OF DIFFICULTY: EASY

2 1

4 7 3 8 3 EASY

6 8

6 5 3

1 6

7 8

1 4 9

9 3

7 4 1 8 2

5 8 # 31

5 3 7 6

7

2

1 8

4

2 8 9 4 1 5

4

2

9 6 2 5 7 4

6

3

5

3

3 5 8 2

EASY # 32 Solution, tips and computer program at www.sudoku.com

ANSWERS ON PAGE 41

44 JANUARY 19, 2024

7

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JANUARY 19, 2024

45

MAXED OUT

Oh, the shame I THINK I need a lawyer. I haven’t done anything illegal... yet… but I’m thinking pretty hard about doing something that may run afoul of the law.

In my defence, nothing I have in mind would in any way harm anyone. There would be no monetary gain behind what I want to do, just a feeling of satisfaction and maybe the ability to hold my head a bit higher.

But I might have trouble next time I try to cross a border.

It is a criminal offence to forget a passport. The maximum penalty is 14 years

BY G.D. MAXWELL in the slammer. I can’t imagine any court would sentence someone to that, given they sentence most people who kill someone to less time.

It’s against the law to make a material, false statement to procure a passport. Ditto for procuring any “material” alteration to a passport. You can only get two years for that.

Which raises the question for which I might need a lawyer: Is it a material alteration to Wite-Out my place of birth on my passport?

For several years now, I’ve been questioning why my passport needs to include my place of birth. What for? Who cares where I was born? I’m a Canadian citizen. Shouldn’t that be enough?

I’ve thought of just leaving that box blank the next time I have to renew my passport.

But I’m not sure they’d let me do that. And it might be even worse. Would a border agent be suspicious if that was blank? Could I claim ignorance? “Don’t rightly know where I was born. I was just a baby when it happened.”

I used to worry about terrorists herding me and fellow travellers over somewhere, checking our passports and pumping a round into anyone who was a citizen of what they considered the Evil Empire—the U.S.A. Would they understand it wasn’t my fault I was born there? Shouldn’t I get extra points for having moved to Canada and become Canadian? I mean, doesn’t that show a commitment far beyond the coincidence of those who were simply born here?

I don’t worry about that anymore. It doesn’t seem to be the same issue it used to be. But now, this week, there’s a bigger issue. You see, my passport—the only one I have for the only country of which I am a citizen—lists my place of birth as not only USA, but Des Moines, U.S.A. As in Iowa. As in the location of the dictator-in-waiting, the Orange Monster, Donald Trump’s first primary victory earlier this week. That Des Moines. That Iowa.

Oh, the shame.

Given my status as a Canadian citizen, given the fact Canada can’t legally strip me of that citizenship, since to do so would render me as a person without a country— something they’re not allowed to do—what would it hurt if they let me choose a Canadian place as my place of birth? On the continuum

46 JANUARY 19, 2024

DOUGLAS SACHA / MOMENT / GETTY IMAGES

of lies, that would be beyond white, it would be luminescent, a blinding white you couldn’t look at without welder’s goggles.

In a very real sense, moving to Canada was kind of like being reborn. When I landed— limped, actually, in a 1968 Volkswagen with a nearly blown engine—in Montreal in January, 1979, it certainly felt like I’d awakened in a different life and country. For starters it was -40, the point on a thermometer where it doesn’t matter whether I follow that with a C or an F. Montreal, on the cusp of the first

only thing Iowa had going for it as far as I could tell. While it may sound callous, I’m grateful my younger brother was born with life-threatening asthma that led my parents to move to Arizona and then New Mexico.

In many ways, living in the southwest was like living in a different country. All the American history taught in school mostly happened in the East. The settlement of the West, the land grab from what was part of Spain and Mexico, the California gold rush, none of that was taught.

Who cares where I was born? I’m a Canadian citizen. Shouldn’t that be enough?

sovereignty referendum, definitely seemed like a different country. Had I moved to Calgary I’m sure it would have just seemed like a trip to a colder, less-well-armed Texas.

So I’d be happy with Montreal as my place of birth on my passport. Heck, as opposed to Des Moines, I’d be happy with Come

By Chance, Flin Flon, Moose Jaw, Dildo, Asbestos, or Stoner. Maybe especially Stoner.

Or certainly Whistler.

I have no fond memories of Iowa.

Although I didn’t live there long, it was long enough. Bitterly cold in winter, oppressively humid in summer, hogs and corn are the

And now, the U.S. is a foreign country.

Fractured, violent, torn along party lines and hijacked by a past president—frighteningly possibly next president—who has no love nor time for the freedoms and rights enshrined in the Constitution except when they support or can be perverted to serve his own, twisted ends.

And the people of Iowa, at least the Republican people, people who would always refer to themselves as the “good” people of Iowa, have handed him a resounding win in the first primary, relegating the other hopefuls—also known as the lesser, though

not by much, evils—to footnotes of the 2024 general election.

So morally and ethically bankrupt is the current Republican Party that moderate Republicans—mythical beasts bearing a cultural kinship to unicorns—and Democrats actually believe Nikki Haley and Ron DeSantis are acceptable alternatives.

Well, something horrible is better than something apocalyptic.

There is no solace—okay, maybe a wee, little bit of solace—in the fact the Orange Monster only polled 51 per cent of the caucus votes. DeSantis at 21 per cent and Haley at 19 per cent weren’t even in the same decade, and are just as likely to split the non-Trump vote next week in New Hampshire.

That a Trump candidacy and second term would be disastrous for the world is evident in, well, virtually everything the lying scoundrel says. Leave NATO, let Ukraine dangle in the breeze, cosy up to the other dictators around the world, stuff the Justice Department with sycophants and toadies, use his power to punish the long list of Enemies of Trump, burn up the planet and find ways to line his own pockets and those of his cronies.

I don’t know what’s happened to half the population in my former home and native land. I don’t care, except for the fact they may unleash this lunatic on the world and then be surprised at what he destroys in the next four years.

Like winning the lottery, I only hold out faint hope Trump will lose or disappear. And I’m not even sure I can still buy Wite-Out. ■

T KE AR M TO EW N

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324 3309 Ptarmigan Place: 324 Greyhawk. 2 bedrooms plus loft, 2 baths. South facing. 1,470 square feet. Excellent views of Blackcomb Mountain. Phase 1 zoning allow for nightly rentals. Covered Parking, Hot Tub, Sauna $1,995,000 Javier Hidalgo

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This 2 bedroom 2 bath ideally situated in Whistler Village, offers a full-service hotel experience with proximity to top attractions. Enjoy complimentary services like ski valet, bike valet and in-resort shuttle. $1,399,000 Carmyn Marcano 604-719-7646

8348 Mountain View Drive: This post & beam masterpiece wants to become your new mountain retreat. Fully renovated in 2021, the 5br/4ba home is tastefully furnished, with 3 fireplaces, 2 living areas, patios, hot tub, 2-car garage and large driveway. Scan the QR for a closer look! $4,999,000 Rob Boyd - Boyd Team 604-935-9172

7471 Urdal Road, Pemberton: Nestled in the heart of Pemberton, this remarkable 10-acre property boasts a prime location, convenience, breathtaking 360-degree views, and endless possibilities. $6,495,000

1563 Spring Creek Drive: Explore mountain luxury in this architecturally designed retreat. A southwest-facing sanctuary with a 66’ infinity pool, hot tub, steam, outdoor cantina, outdoor gas fire bowl and a chef’s dream kitchen. $7,900,000 Connie Spear 604-910-1103

The Loft Salon: This flourishing salon, with a diverse clientele spanning over two decades, is now available for ownership by the next lucky successor, as the owner is looking to retire.

Includes $35,000 of inventory. $150,000

1990 Dowad Dr, Squamish: LIVE YOUR LUXURY in the mountainside community of SKYRIDGE - Endless views of the famous Chief & Shannon Falls. Enjoy a cool or warm dip in the heated swimming pool.Double car garage, security cameras & 2 bed suite close to schools/trails. $2,500,000 Angie Vazquez PREC* 778-318-5900

Jody Wright PREC*

604-935-4680

Steve Legge PREC*

Follow your dream, home.

ENGEL & VÖLKERS WHISTLER Whistler Village Shop

Squamish Station Shop

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

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

whistler.evrealestate.com

squamish.evrealestate.com

*PERSONAL REAL ESTATE CORPORATION. ©2023 Engel & Völkers. All rights reserved. Each brokerage independently owned and operated.

604-902-3335

#211G3 - 4653 Blackcomb Way Horstman House - Motivated Seller

8270 Mountain View Drive

4722 Settebello Drive

VACANT LOT

TOWNHOUSE

Alpine Meadows

Montebello - Quarter Ownership

3D TOUR rem.ax/211horstman

CONDO

2 | 976 SQFT

Denise

$319,000

604.902.2033

14,300 SQFT

Brown

$2,398,000

8404 Indigo Lane

VACANT LAND

$1,450,000

$695,000

Laura

Barkman

604.905.8777

#206 - 7331 Arbutus Street

#122 - 4315 Northlands Blvd.

CONDO

CONDO

Whistler Village - Cascade Lodge

2 | 821 SQFT

Matt

.5 | 273 SQFT

Richard

604.935.9171

$639,000

604.935.0762

$429,000

604.902.4260

3D TOUR rem.ax/53lagoons

Kusiak

8322 Valley Drive

Stoney Creek Lagoons

Grenfell

#301 - 2202 Gondola Way

Alpine Meadows - New Price!

First Tracks Lodge

3D TOUR rem.ax/8322valley

TOWNHOME

$1,175,000

3 | 1,378 SQFT

Matt

Chiasson

#53 - 4335 Northlands Blvd.

1 | 620 SQFT

604.967.1238

Winchester - Pemberton

Rainbow

6,609 SQFT

Kyoko Hamazaki

CONDO

CHALET

Sally

4.5 | 3,282 SQFT

604.932.7741

$4,150,000

Warner*

SUBSCRIBE TO OUR OPEN HOUSES: TEXT Open to : 604.229.0067

We Welcome Foreign Buyers in Whistler

Sherry Baker

604.932.131

2 | 1,246 SQFT

$2,249,000

Theresa McCaffrey

604.902.1700