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Re: “Trauma worsening in backcountry”
^^ Spearhead Hut project has taken this into account; see the Feature article from Fall '11 in the PIQUE. Part of their proposal includes proper funding for SAR, increased education, etc. Keep in mind that the increases in injuries above are from sledders, and are already increasing regardless. Spearhead Huts will be located in a zone that is touring-only, in Garibaldi Park, where there is no sledding permitted.
Re: “Bass Coast: more than a rave”
No offence dear S, but everything you described is precisely that of a rave: an inclusive atmosphere; creative artists doing their thang'; costumes & circus & fire; workshops on all manner of weird art and holistic living; and, of course, electronic music, all weekend long. This sounds like the legacy of rave culture to me — having lived through it. Instead of denying it, why not embrace it? Or is "rave" such a dirty word now that we need to eradicate its cultural history in some attempt to obfuscate the lamestream?
Re: “Big Bang Prepares for 2012”
That's one beautiful pic of last year's party... :D
Re: “Skiing the Edge embraces humour and heart”
Awesome, picked it up on Kindle.
Re: “A Pass to Play”
The Spirit Pass is great, but not that great. A Spirit Pass costs $1,224 (before tax). An Early Bird Season's Pass --- purchased at the end of the previous season with deposit down --- cost $1199 this year before tax.
I found it intriguing that nowhere does this article mention that employers can monitor their employee's Spirit Pass use, and blacklist their pass if they take a sick day and then ski. Regardless of the ski bum ethics, this is corporate surveillance, pure and simple, and violates privacy.
Also, in the Spirit seminars, emphasis is repeatedly put upon employees to resolve the resort's front line tourism and service issues. Examples provided during the seminar include giving away a free coffee or offering a discount if the customer isn't happy. If one actually tries to do this in most Whistler retailers, chances are you'd be reprimanded. Few employers grant their employees this much decision-making autonomy.
This also puts all of the pressure to resolve service issues upon the lowest-paid, temporary workers in Whistler. Nowhere is there an emphasis in the seminar on how to address labour issues with an employer, or how to address poor workplace conditions (which are, I would argue, the root cause of poor service). The Spirit seminars also do not inform employees --- many new to Canada --- of their labour rights.
Something to chew on.
Re: “Transit changes causing problems for riders”
Of note I wrote a letter to Transit/RMOW and received a lengthy reply. What is interesting about it is how RMOW appears more interested in cutting costs of Transit than providing good Transit. IMO these new route changes have been trussed-up as responding to rider demands when in reality we've seen significant service cuts. It's a PR wash. In any case, do provide feedback as Transit is listening. Here's the reply:
==
Hi Tobias,
Thank you for taking your time to send in your thoughtful comments and suggestions about the Whistler Transit system and specifically about the Early Winter service to the Alpine.
I also wanted to remind you about how we got to the new route structure and service level by summarizing the work done over the past year. As you may be aware, the Whistler transit system is part of the BC Transit Regional Systems Program. It is funded in partnership between the Resort Municipality of Whistler (53.31%) and BC Transit (46.69%) and operated by Whistler Transit Ltd. Last year at this time when preparing the 2011 municipal budget, it became clear to staff that there was a growing gap between available transit funding and the estimated funding needed to maintain current levels of transit service into the future. Council instructed staff to work with BC Transit to review the transit service structure and the Whistler Transit system financials. The reviews are complete and have been presented to Council through three reports: a preliminary service review report May 17, 2011, a full service review report September 6, 2011 (which included the results and changes based on the public comments through the summer) and a financial and facility report November 1, 2011. The goal of these reviews was to define and implement a transit system that the community can afford for Winter 2011/2012 and beyond. As you will see in the November 1, 2011 Council report, the combination of the results of the service review and financial review brought the $2.3Million dollar funding gap that we had last year at this time down to $.8M – as savings of $1.5M to the Whistler tax payer. All of these reports and presentations to Council can be found on the municipal website www.whistler.ca under Municipal Government – Council Meetings – Watch Council Meetings.
When BC Transit looked at the community and ridership of the entire system, they recommended the new transit route structure with the new #1-Valley Connector which is basically a combination of the old #2-Whistler Creek and the #43-Alpine Emerald combined with the exception that it does NOT go to Gondola Transit Exchange. Many of these route adjustments mean that many passengers in Emerald, Rainbow, Alpine, Nesters, Blueberry, Alta Vista, Nordic, Spring Creek, Function and Cheakamus will all need to walk farther to bus stops.
The new smaller transit system of 60,500 hour service (a 19% reduction in annual service hours from last year) came fully into effect on Thursday, November 24, 2011 with the Early Winter schedule.
As a resident of Nesters or Alpine, the best place to transfer is actually at the Brewhouse/Olympic Plaza stop on Blackcomb Way as the #3, #4 and #6 buses all pass this stop. I’ve attached a Service Travel Tips page for your information to help you get from the Gondola Transit Exchange to the IGA bus shelter to catch the #1-Valley Connector back home.
I also wanted to let you know that the Whistler Transit Service Review team (BC Transit, RMOW and Whistler Transit Ltd staff) is monitoring the Early Winter schedule and will be monitoring the full Winter schedule in December. One of the specifics is monitoring ridership now to see if there are trips/service hours that can be reallocated from the Cheakamus and to Rainbow and Emerald in Winter this year and in next year’s Early Winter schedule. We are also looking at bringing morning trips (5:30AM – 9:55AM) back to the Gondola Transit Exchange (GTE) for the winter. Bringing all #1-Valley Connector trips to the GTE would “cost” a reduction of 8 to 14 trips per day. We are exploring this option but it would require a full schedule change to reduce the “cost”. I am keeping your comments to include in the reviews. We will tweak the system along the way especially for the upcoming Christmas period. If needed, we will prepare a new schedule the first week of January for implementation as soon as physically possible – most likely late January. Please watch www.whistler.ca/regions/whi Service Alerts for updates.
I trust this helps you understand how and why the new route structure and schedule was developed and how our system works. If you have other questions, I can be reached at the numbers listed below.
Regards,
Emma
Emma DalSanto
Transportation Demand Management Planner
RESORT MUNICIPALITY OF WHISTLER
(604) 935-8197
edalsanto@whistler.ca
Re: “Bureaucracy inaction; lives at risk”
It's good to know we're now looking at health expenses as business revenue. That's a great idea! Maybe we can make a "business case" by calculating the cost of dumping a few wrongful death lawsuits at the door of VCH? Or maybe VCH is wondering how much they could get for bodies on some sort of black market? I didn't know our health providers were now in the business of making money off injuries, shite care and death...