Summer 2025! I was just up in Sea to Sky country yesterday enjoying a Sunday with extended family and reflecting on all the positive changes that have embraced Squamish over recent years.
While there, I picked up a copy of Whistler’s Pique Newsmagazine at the Squamish Adventure Centre. Within it, I read about an Alta Lake water condition that had caused numerous welts to a visitor. I have noticed over the years just how the quality of all Whistler lake waters has declined since the early 1970’s when Whistler was almost a ghost town in summer, and if people don’t consider what they do in relationship to the lake waters it will decline even further.
Whistler must improve its wastewater system and people should consider spending less time in the sun or put less sunscreen or suntan lotion on before going into the water. Cover up instead.
I was very fortunate to experience Whistler at its very best year-round when it comes to the natural world which everything was developed around over the decades. If you want the best of both worlds, you will need to heavily consider what made Whistler the greatest ski destination in North America many decades ago. It was Mother Nature itself, be it whatever the season, winter or summer. The rest was simply icing on the valley or mountain cake that we have all enjoyed for so many years since that time.
More people equals more impact, which means everyone needs to be more mindful about how they experience this unique destination to keep it desirable both now and in the future.
