There is no denying these are fraught times.
Any way you care to slice it, it seems Western society is in for a rough ride in the months and years ahead, with seemingly no shortage of anxiety-inducing items in the news these days.
Caught in a pointless trade war, Canada is on the brink of a recession—at least according to TD Bank’s chief economist, Beata Caranci, who predicted in a recent interview the economy will shed 100,000 jobs by Q3 2025. This at the same moment in history Artificial Intelligence is threatening to make millions more jobs obsolete—sooner than we might expect, by some estimates.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Mark Carney and his Liberal government, fresh off a slim minority election win, are trying to pass a “border control bill” that has been criticized in various corners for its “wild overreach,” allowing law enforcement to force internet companies to turn over user data without a warrant, expanding their ability to open and inspect mail, and even permit them to cancel or suspend immigration documents (it’s worth reading up on—and writing our MP Patrick Weiler if you have concerns).
South of the border, U.S. President Donald Trump and his merry band of deeply unqualified sycophants have deployed the National Guard to Los Angeles in an effort to quell protests about ICE deportations. Powder keg, meet match (seriously… as this is being written on a Monday morning, there is no telling how the situation will evolve or escalate by the time this hits the stands on Friday. Martial Law anyone?).
A human-caused wildfire burning out of control near peoples’ homes just north of Squamish.
It’s a lot to digest all at once, and enough to force any decent human out into the sun and onto, say, a nice quiet bench beside some water to contemplate it all.
Luckily, Whistler has a lot of those, the majority strategically positioned to give you something pretty to look at while you sit and consider all the bullshit.
But then, who wants to write about such downer topics when it’s so nice and sunny out?
With that extended, somewhat depressing preamble out of the way, we can get down to the real meat of the matter in this week’s Opening Remarks: a highly unscientific, deeply subjective look at the best benches in Whistler (from which to watch the world burn).
The Green Lake bench
The bench to end all benches, this bad boy on the southern shores of Green Lake has it all: an impressive mountain vista stretching in nearly all directions; abundant sunshine; mama ducks swimming by with all their babies; float planes roaring in directly overhead and landing on the emerald-tinged lake.
Tourists and locals alike roll by behind you as Nicklaus North golfers hit the links. If you’re brave, you can cool off in Green Lake—Whistler’s coldest valley offering.
Many of Whistler’s benches are part of the Resort Municipality of Whistler’s tribute plaque program, and carry worthwhile stories from Whistler’s past for anyone willing to do a bit of research.
Dedicated to the Kelty Patrick Dennehy Foundation, this bench holds a special meaning to the Whistler community—and it serves as a regular reminder to check up on your people (read more at thekeltyfoundation.org).
Among the very best of wooden butt support in Whistler—9/10.
Fitz Creek by Spruce Grove
Unassuming and slightly out of the way, at first glance you might think this bench doesn’t have much to offer. Die-hard sitters know the real beauty of it only becomes apparent on repeat visits throughout the spring, summer and fall.
Nestled against the banks of the Fitzsimmons Creek at the entrance to Spruce Grove Park, this bench rarely offers up the same views twice. Watch as the creek level rises and falls, ebbs and flows, shapes the shoreline and the creek bed at its whim; the snowline descending and in time retreating on Blackcomb Mountain in the distance.
This bench offers both a peaceful retreat to sort out your thoughts when it all gets a bit too muddled up there, and a window into the natural rhythms of the local environment.
A solid 7.5/10.
Tucked away in the bush at Meadow Park
There are a few instances of benches like this one—stealth seats seconded away behind some tree cover, or a few extra steps from the beaten path.
If you didn’t already know they were there, you very well might roll right past completely unawares.
The bench tucked away in the bush right next to the Meadow Park Sports Centre, against the bank of the River of Golden Dreams, is among the best of these options—but located as it is in a high-traffic area, it is often occupied.
It doesn’t offer the best view, but it’s perfectly suitable for a quick breather, or just a spot to watch the summer floaters drifting by. 6/10.
Any bench on the Village Stroll
As noted in a previous instalment of Opening Remarks (see Pique, July 7, 2023, “Sonder on the Village Stroll”), the Whistler Village Stroll is perhaps among the best places in the entire world to just sit and people watch.
Take a moment to sit with your thoughts, and you’ll often be treated to a steady and varied stream of locals and tourists alike filtering past.
Where are they going? Where are they from? What are their hopes, dreams, fears, past traumas? Are they happy and fulfilled, or broken, lost and yearning?
How did they land on that horrible choice of outfit?
There’s no shortage of benches lining the Stroll, but during high-traffic periods they’re in high demand. So there’s a chance you have to sit by a (potentially pungent) stranger, which knocks it down a few pegs.
But if you land one near COWS with a couple big scoops of, say, Messie Bessie—look out. Anywhere from 4/10 to 8/10, depending on the day.
In conclusion
There you have it: the most controversial, thought-provoking opinion piece you’ll read all day (assuming you read literally nothing else).
The fires, follies and rising fascism aren’t going anywhere, and addressing the challenges ahead will demand the best of us—well-rested and of clear minds.
So the next time you’re out and about in Whistler, don’t be afraid to visit your own favourite bench and take a load off.
