Skip to content
Join our Newsletter

Whistler Blackcomb steps up for Grades

The Whistler Secondary School grad class would like to thank Doug Forseth, Sophie Hoskins, Aubrey Gordon and the amazing team at Whistler Blackcomb for making our family grad dinner such a success! Throughout the process of planning dinner at the Rou

The Whistler Secondary School grad class would like to thank Doug Forseth, Sophie Hoskins, Aubrey Gordon and the amazing team at Whistler Blackcomb for making our family grad dinner such a success!

Throughout the process of planning dinner at the Roundhouse, Sophie and Aubrey assisted with every aspect of the evening, making it easy and fun to organize this important milestone event.

An expected 350 guests, many from out of town, were looking forward to our grad celebration dinner at the top of the mountain.

Then, disaster: a mechanical malfunction at 5 p.m. on Friday night put the gondola out of commission.

When they realized that fixing the gondola was not an option, the WB team met on Saturday morning to brainstorm different solutions. They decided that the best-case scenario was to find an alternate venue and they were successful in securing a room at the Fairmont.

The team then set about organizing the grad dinner at the new venue in only a few hours. At 6 p.m., guests were greeted at the door with a celebratory glass of sparkling apple juice followed by a delicious dinner that went off without a hitch.

This dedication is pretty amazing in itself, but there is more.

The alternate venue came at a cost and by the time WB had refunded the grads for the gondola charges and paid the additional costs for the alternate venue, the final result was actually a net revenue loss to WB. We cannot thank the Whistler Blackcomb team enough for all their hard work to make our graduation dinner happen and for their support of the Whistler Secondary School community.

Bev Oakley

Principal Whistler Secondary School

Lucy Brown - Class of 2011 Grad Dinner Planner

 

 

OUTLOOK Economic Symposium looks forward

On behalf of the board of directors and staff of the Whistler Chamber of Commerce, we'd like to thank the speakers, cash and in-kind sponsors and delegates from the Sea to Sky corridor and beyond, who participated at the inaugural OUTLOOK Economic Symposium, held at the Fairmont Chateau Whistler, June 5-6, 2011.

The long-term vision of OUTLOOK is to be the "Davos of North America," an inspirational place in the mountains that provides business and community leaders an unrivalled opportunity to come together annually to discuss the issues most important to the economic health of our province and country. In its inaugural year, OUTLOOK asked the question, "Is British Columbia positioned to prosper in the next decade?" and it brought together a number of experts from both private and public sectors, including senior government ministers, as well as almost 200 delegates, to examine the question from a global, national, provincial and sectoral perspective.

At OUTLOOK, we learned that, as a province, although our long-term future is bright, there is work to do to adapt to the changing global environment and stay abreast of the competition. We learned that there are opportunities in many sectors, including mining, forestry and tourism, especially given our geographical positioning as the natural gateway to Asia Pacific. We also learned that there are challenges that must be tackled to address the labour force shortages looming on the horizon, to improve our productivity and competitiveness as well as the education and skills training offered to our young children and youth so that they are set up to succeed in the workforce.

In its first year, we're proud that OUTLOOK served an important purpose, providing the speakers with a platform to raise the profile of the above and many other opportunities and challenges that we face as a province so that we can begin to plan how to manage them. It also provided those who attended an opportunity to learn, network and forge new relationships that, we hope, will be fruitful in future. Closer to home, OUTLOOK provided our Chamber Board and team with ideas that will be incorporated into future Board discussions, program content and luncheon topics and shared with our membership.

We know our resort community is perfectly suited to be the inspiring meeting place where business and community leaders come together annually to discuss the issues most important to the economic health of our province. Given the positive feedback we have received about the event, we are excited that our speakers, sponsors and delegates feel the same way!

Thank you for helping us break ground on a new event that has potential to become an iconic event for Whistler, British Columbia and Canada in the years to come. The resounding success of OUTLOOK 2011 paves the way to an even more robust event in 2012, around which discussions have already started. We look forward to seeing you at OUTLOOK 2012!

Kendra Mazzei, Chair, Board of Directors Whistler Chamber of Commerce

Fiona Famulak, President, Whistler Chamber of Commerce

 

 

SOHO? Maybe, but LET'S GO!
Function IS happening and for those who work in this raw neighborhood there is strong loyalty among its patrons and owners. Your recent feature commented that "no one's stepped up yet" and I wanted to correct you on that.

A Function Junction Business Association has been formed and a new group of passionate people are steering the advisory board. Our goal is to make Function a safe and authentic destination where locals, second homeowners and tourists can discover something unique, purposeful and inspiring.

People like Nigel Woods and Don Wensley helped shape this area and Karen Buchanan and Harvey Lim are hoping to polish it up. If you want to get involved, connect with us on LinkedIn under a group called "Function Junction."
A special thanks to a valuable community partner, Whistler Brewery, which has served as our "board room." It feels like the early days of Whistler - so I am told.
Duane Hepditch,

Chair, Function Junction Business Association.

 

Insult to injury

Classic. I wish I had taken a photo. There was my car, all alone in the pay parking day lot.

I was extremely reluctant to pay, and extremely late for the dance rehearsal with my 10-year old daughter. What to do? So I sucked it up and paid five bucks.

I know I know...and I'm sorry. When I came out two hours later, (yes - I even OVER PAID to make sure I didn't piss off the Muni by being late and getting a ticket) what did I find on my car? A TICKET! - a fine for twenty bucks and a threat that if I don't pay it escalates.

Now I'd like to know how much did I pay for that machine that I used that didn't work? How much did I pay for the salary of the (bylaw) officer that gave me the invalid ticket? Unbelievable.

If you are going to use people and their money to exploit them, you should at least make sure that your penalty box is in working order.

Beverly Lucas

Whistler

 

 



BC Transit wants to hear from you
I would like to use Jay Zappia's letter in last week's paper ( Pique June 9, 2011) as another opportunity to let you know the fastest way to send your suggestions, complaints, inquiries and commendations about our Whistler Transit System.

Last week when I read Jay Zappia's frustrated letter to the editor, I did a quick search through my e-mails. Jay sent a complaint into the transit system using the "Contact Us - Transit Service Feedback" through the web site www.bctransit.com/regions/whi at 6:38PM on May 26, 2011. Before 10 a.m. the next morning, we had resolved the main issue, which could have been prevented with a closer look at the schedule.
We do want to hear from you - not only about current service but also about future service. If you missed Tuesday's Whistler Transit Service Review open house, please check out the information, presentation, and comment form on-line at the BC Transit web address above or on www.whistler.ca.
Finally, summer service starts on Friday July 1, with the addition of morning trips on the #2-Whistler Creek, the reduction of Marketplace shuttle trips after 6 p.m., the change to the #7-Tapley's route and the addition of the free Lost Lake Shuttle from 11a.m. to 6 p.m. daily through Labour Day.  Make sure to grab a new schedule when it's out at the end of June.
Emma DalSanto
RMOW Transportation Demand Management Planner

 

 

Excuse my red face: amended 2011 Tax Notices  
To all of those property owners who received an amended tax notice this past week, we regret that we did not also include an explanation.

Due to a glitch in a software upgrade, the annual user fee for garbage and recycling was not included on some tax notices in their first printing. In order to get the amended notices out in advance of the postal strike we felt it was necessary to do so with all speed and did not include adequate explanation.

Please accept our apologies.

Add the amended amount to your total tax bill and call the Financial Services direct line at 604-935-8130 if you have specific questions about your notice.

There are a number of ways to pay before the July 2 deadline. Visit www.whistler.ca and click on the 2011 Property Tax and Utilities button from the home page to learn more.
Anna Lamb, CGA
RMOW manager of financial services

 

Who is running the show?

There's been a lot of talk since the May 26 special council meeting that the municipality might go with a more expensive asphalt provider than the current contractor, Alpine Paving.

There's an argument that the RMOW is not acting in the public interest for rejecting Alpine Paving's low bid. Between 1996 and 2009, Alpine Paving did a minimum of $7.18 million in paving for the RMOW. After the Cheakamus Crossing residents forced the RMOW to send asphalt contracts to tender, the price of Alpine Paving's asphalt dropped by over 25 per cent.  If you were to calculate those savings back to 1996, that would be nearly $1.8 million, so it's a little late for the municipal budget hawks to be coming to Jesus.

And that's not including the $400,000 that the municipality would have paid to Alpine Paving had their failed rezoning bid (most businesses that get an upgrade in their zoning are required to provide a community amenity, not collect a cash bonus, but that's another matter) gone through, another thing that the residents of Cheakamus Crossing worked hard to deep six.

As far as business practices go, Alpine Paving has been operating contrary to municipal bylaws and without a business license for years. Despite a demand they cease operations at the Cheakamus Crossing site, they've been running full tilt all spring, making life very unpleasant for their neighbours with their extremely noxious emissions. At the moment they are reportedly threatening legal action against the RMOW. If there is some legal requirement that the municipality do business with them, I couldn't imagine what it would be.

However interesting all that is, it misses the big point. It's not a fight about the price of asphalt, but who's running the show at municipal hall. A majority of council has finally decided to stand up to them, and by extension, the mayor and senior staff, and that is, at least, a good start.

David Buzzard

Whistler

( Editor's note: For more information on the Alpine Paving contract and paving contracts in general check out the RMOW's May 26 council report at www.whistler.ca )

 

Leave highway bears alone
Driving home last evening from Whistler to Squamish eight to ten cars were stopped on both sides of the road, where the cement barriers were present, making the shoulder much smaller than normal.

I thought there was an accident in progress making me slam on my breaks coming around a downhill corner.

To my amazement it turned out not to be an accident but a lone bear in the ditch. This is a HUGE hazard for other drivers on this highway people!

I live in Squamish and I drive to Whistler four to six days a week for work and almost every day, morning or night, there are cars stopped along the Sea to Sky Highway. It's not only dangerous for the cars driving the highway but it's dangerous for the people agitating the bears.

I really don't think the bears appreciate being watched so intently as they eat probably the only meal they came across that day. Yes, I agree it's a joy to see them in the wild FROM YOUR CAR WINDOW as you pass by, but please if you absolutely MUST stop, stop in a proper pullout or safety stop.

If this continues, accidents will happen, I promise you. So for all the tourists out there - use your head and have the decency to think about the locals who just want to get home after a long day of work without rear-ending some asshole who decided it was a good idea to stop his car on the highway to see how close he can get to a wild bear.

Melanie Garand

Squamish

 

 

Bruised by OK

On Wednesday, June 8, 2011 I had the misfortune of crashing my bicycle while ascending a hill on St. Anton Way in Whistler. Several individuals rendered invaluable assistance, the first being a young lady named Marnie who called 911 and secured my bicycle; the second/third being Allen Rumble and another Fortis BC employee, who comforted me while awaiting the ambulance and the forth/fifth being the two EMT's with the ambulance which responded to the 911 call.

I want to use this forum to thank you all for your help and concern for my well-being. I am doing well, suffering only a cut lip and a few bruises.  Again, "THANK YOU"!!

Mary Fredrikson

Washington State

 

Cheers to 10 years

Thank you to everyone who came out to support the Whistler Waldorf School's "May Soiree - Cheers to 10 Years" fundraiser on May 14! It was a delightful evening made possible by the incredible generosity of many local businesses and individuals.

Thank you to our wine sponsors Burrowing Owl, Lotusland, Black Hills, Mission Hill, Forbidden Fruit, Aphrodite's Organic Cafe and Brown-Forman for supplying the wine samples, and Whistler Brewing for the craft beer sampling. Local restaurants Aura at Nita Lake, Alta Bistro, Sushi Village and Rosalind's Desserts by Design supplied the delicious eats and The Four Seasons supplied all the glass and stemware, tables and linens. Many other local community-minded businesses (far too many to mention here!) donated a wealth of fine goods and services that were auctioned off to the highest bidder helping us raise $13,000 to help support our Daycare/Pre-school programs.
What an amazingly generous community we live in!
Peggy Vogler

Whistler Waldorf School

Embrace Meatless Mondays
While the idea of going without meat one day a week might send a shiver down the spine of some, the community of Aspen has wholeheartedly embraced it.

Meatless Mondays began this week in Aspen with over 20 restaurants on board, as well as the elementary school, hospital and University of Colorado School of Medicine.

So what inspired them to go meatless? They've read The China Study or seen Forks Over Knives and know how much going meatless can improve their health and help prevent diseases.

They also know about the environmental impacts of livestock production, and that eating meatless meals are a far more efficient use of resources, reducing water, land use, pollution, soil degradation, deforestation and greenhouse gases. Did you know livestock production creates more greenhouse gases than the entire transport sector? Whistler, it's our turn to be inspired.  Let's join Aspen and show our commitment to the environment and the health of our community.

Meatless Mondays are an easy step to take, but the impact is significant.  And it's a great way to discover new restaurants, new recipes and enhance your diet.  Ask your favourite Whistler restaurant to get on board! For more information visit meatlessmonday.ca or http://www.huffingtonpost.com/chris-elam/aspen-co-meatless-mondays_b_871596.html

Hayley Ingman and Jennie Small

Earthsave Whistler

 

 

 

Whistler - Canada's Best Mountain Brewing

I have recently visited the Whistler Brewing Company in Function Junction to find that Whistler Brewing has some of the best beer on tap in the whole of Canada. How unfortunate that their suds line-up or a large portion of their finely crafted brews are not carried in all licensed establishments here in Whistler.

If you travel throughout Europe you will find local brews are often featured in small communities where they are brewed. Success is created by supporting your local partners and when it comes to fine foods, high end destination resorts like Whistler, Whistler Brewing has risen to the peak of craft brewing and the Brew House also delivers some outstanding suds to savor.

Let's give it up for the Brew Masters of Function Junction and The Brew House and start asking our local pubs, night clubs and fine food establishments to support made in Whistler beverage products by having at least three local beverage products on tap.

Brian Wolfgang Becker

Whistler

 

Is this what we want our kids to learn?
The current Stanley Cup Final is certainly an exciting event for those of us in B.C. Like millions of others, I have been watching the games on TV and am thrilled that Vancouver has been doing so well.
Game No. 3 in Boston, however, totally disturbed me - not because of the results, but because of the behaviour of the players and the spectators. It is serious enough that players are sent off for such poor behaviour but to display such primeval animalistic behaviour to the cameras afterwards to demonstrate their disgust at being sent off is inexcusable.
What would we say to our children if they behaved like this? What are our children's NHL role models teaching them? Are we telling them it is OK to fight and bite and kick and when you are sent to "time out," is it OK to continue to rant at the person who reprimanded you? Oh and by the way, your class mates will support and applaud all of the aggressiveness, the yelling and the cursing, which will naturally encourage you to do it further? Is this what we want our kids to learn?
It is no wonder there is so much bullying and aggressive behaviour happening in our playgrounds. Our kids are just doing what their role models are doing. And parents don't expect anything less from your kids as you are also displaying that it's OK to usurp authority - just watch the way you are reacting to the referee's calls. We saw you all in the stands on TV.
Lynne Price

Whistler