Skip to content
Join our Newsletter

Letters to the editor for the week of January 3rd

Personal groomers
opinion_letters1

It is always a thrill for me to see Whistler improve the experience for locals and visitors alike.

What has moved me to pen the following is a result of feeling like I have gained the status of having personal groomers. No, I do not have a pet — no one buffs my nails although I am in constant need of overall buffing.

 My personal groomers are the ones we as skiers, downhill, XC and boarders seem to take for granted. I am referring to the men and woman who, given a workable snowbase can, using the capabilities of state-of-the-art snow grooming equipment and often many years of honed skills, produce endless acres and kilometres of seamless corduroy. The constant superior product that these professionals put on display at their respective venues every day is too often overlooked.

Year by year Whistler Blackcomb has expanded and improved the grooming and the start to this season is no exception.  First tracks on top to bottom runs of corduroy covered by any number of centimetres of fresh, light powder this past month gives one the feeling that "YES!" my personal groomer has indeed my preference dialed in. Maybe you share a similar preference.

Peak to Creek "buffed and then powdered" Priceless! Notwithstanding Powder's picks.

The RMOW has also upped the standard of grooming in Lost Lake Park this season by pushing the trail widths to the maximum to better accommodate the classic tracks and the skate lane. Once the snow began to fall in earnest the municipal crews were busy preparing for the XC opening and it shows. Again I have been most fortuitous as I have on a number of occasions so far this season had the skate track in front of me undulating with fine unblemished corduroy. In other words I was left feeling like I do have a "personal groomer."

It is also very gratifying to see that virtually every biking and hiking trail in Lost Lake Park is being utilized by the snowshoe set.

Thank you groomers all for making me feel, and I am sure countless others feel that they have a personal groomer making their day on the snow in Whistler simply brilliant!

 Tom Thomson

 Whistler

How the best run of my life turned into the worst run of my life

I'm writing this letter at the request of one of my guardian angels and to hopefully save someone else's life just like they saved mine.

My name is Kenny Talpa, and I'm a 32-year-old physical education teacher from Calgary, AB. Contemplating a career change, I decided to take a year off work and spend as much time as I could doing what I love the most...snowboarding! On December 22, 2012 I took my 25th ride of the season, but little did I know that it might be my last.

It was a Saturday and I showed up at Creekside around noon. Since everyone was eating lunch the lift lines were minimal so I headed straight to Peak Chair. Visibility was great although I noticed all the bowls were quite tracked out as I saw them from the lift. I decided to see what was around back. I went straight ahead off the chair and followed the cat track (Matthew's Traverse) for about 300 metres when I noticed an untouched powder-filled bowl to the right that was beyond the out-of-bounds markers.

Stopping to admire how epic this run looked I noticed there were a few tracks through it. I counted about five different tracks that others had taken and with a little deliberation I made the foolish decision of following them.

This decision, in hindsight, could have cost me my life. This bowl, which I later became aware of, is called Cakehole and there are several search and rescues performed there annually.

I dropped in and right away the powder was chest high and the pitch was steep so you could really haul ass. It was truly amazing, it's what I imagine heli skiing to be like. It felt like the movies looked. I had the best 20 turns of my life until the voice in my head said, "this is too good to be true, something is wrong."

By this point I had made it down to the tree line and was in the forest so I had lost my perspective of the mountain below me. I could see how the tracks of others before me got funnelled down into a valley with an exposed creek bed at the bottom, so I decided to stay as high as I could on the valley ridge. I had been in the woods for about ten minutes continuously making my way further down the mountain until I found myself following one set of ski tracks and then they suddenly vanished. I took two more turns and realized that maybe that person had stopped and backtracked, so I decided to do the same.

I quickly noticed ahead of me was a deep valley and that I must be at the top of a cliff. My view of the valley below was blocked by dense bushes and trees that had overgrown the crest of the cliff and I saw no safe way to pass. I backtracked further by walking parallel to the edge of the cliff in the direction I came from. As I walked through chest deep snow, falling into holes was my main concern. At one point I stepped through some fallen trees and got sucked into a hole.

I'm fortunate that I am in good shape, as someone not as conditioned or flexible would have found it very tricky to escape. This made every step all the more daunting. I was trying to scope out an accessible way to the valley floor but I saw no passable way down. At this point I realized where I was from all the horror stories my roommates have told me about Cakehole — a steep waterfall with scattered cliffs and a threatening creek below. Stories of people having to spend the night out there and even a death. At this moment I came to the full realization of how dire my predicament was. I had no idea what my next move was going to be. I could not proceed forward because of the cliff and backtracking all the way back up was not an option as I had already descended several thousand vertical feet.

I sat there and tried to rationalize the situation. I checked the time, it was 1:15 p.m. I had daylight on my side and I also had my cell phone, however, it was flickering in and out of reception.

Before resorting to that option, however, I prayed. I thought of how last night I watched a show on the Internet about guardian angels. I thought to myself in those moments of hopelessness that if I had a guardian angel I could really use their help right now. Before the point of panicking, something amazing happened. Not more than ten minutes passed until I suddenly heard voices above me. Not voices in my head, real voices. I looked up the mountain and saw a group of four skiers making their way toward me. They saw me and stopped and I shouted to them, "I'm lost, do you know your way out of here?"

The leader of the pack, a middle-aged man named Jorice replied, "Yes. Do you know people die out here?" I told him how I probably would have been one of them had they not crossed my path.

These guys were prepared! Avy packs, transceivers, food, and extra clothes, this crew knew what they were doing. After reminding me about how poor my decision-making was that day, they found the safest way down for us. I use the word "safe" here very loosely as this descent was no walk in the park. I had my board in my one hand and I was holding onto tree branches with my other hand as I crept my way down the cliff side, jumping down from section to section. It took about 20 minutes for us to get through this steep pass and I couldn't have imagined doing it on my own. It looked impassable from my judgement. This crew was made up of a man (Jorice), a younger male maybe in his late teens or early twenties named Cami and two middle aged women, one named Janet I believe and the other who's name I did not get.

I could not believe they were out there knowing full well how treacherous the route was. They explained to me that they did not usually take that way but they saw me and realized that I would not have been able to proceed without their assistance. They mentioned they had lived here for 10 years and they ski about 100 times per season. They have literally ridden this mountain a thousand times — they could not have been better guides!

They were native French speakers, but their English was impeccable. I told them they were my guardian angels and they knew it too — that they had saved my life.

Now at the bottom of the valley floor we made our way alongside the creek bank for about 800 metres through narrow trees and dodging gapping holes atop the creek bed before turning out onto a snowmobile track. There were no tracks ahead of us to that point. If it wasn't for Jorice's familiarity of the mountain I undoubtedly would have got lost on my own. I wasn't in the clear yet either. Civilization was still eight kilometres away and I would have to walk through knee deep snow along a flat service road (Cheakamus Lake Forest Service Road) accessible only by snowmobile.

It had snowed 130 cm in the past week so even the snowmobile track was completely covered. It took over two hours without stopping to make it to Function Junction. During that time I reflected on what had just happened and how truly lucky I was for those strangers to have crossed my path. I was sweating profusely from the intense exercise, which had soaked all my base layers and I knew I would have surely froze to death if I had got lost or stuck on my own and had to spend the night outside at -10C.

I had no food, no warmth, and no one knew of my whereabouts. My chances of making it out of there on my own would have been slim to none. I could have been wandering around aimlessly for hours until I died a slow painful death like others before me.

At last I could see the highway and the sight of cars passing made me feel amazingly reassured. I rejoiced, and at that moment, it started to get dark. Night was falling and so were tears of joy and humility, which flooded my face. I made it, I was off the mountain, and just in the nick of time too. I thought of all the people I ever loved and how one selfish decision on my part could have meant never seeing them again.

This is a thank-you letter to my angels that day, I am forever indebted to you. I hope they read these words to know how truly grateful I am. Also, I hope others read these words and can learn from my mistake. Never go past out-of-bounds markers, they are there for a reason. Never follow someone else's tracks — chances are they don't know where they're going either. Never drop in the south side (skier's right) of Matthew's Traverse from Peak Express, this will take you into the Cakehole and may cost you your life.

Lastly, believe in a higher power. Angels are metaphors for the kind strangers that cross our path when we least expect it. We are all someone else's angel.

Kenny Talpa

Calgary, AB

Pemberton & District Public Library loses its leader

I am saddened to hear that Shannon Didier has decided to leave her post as director of the Pemberton & District Public Library.

Though I am personally pleased to see her take on new directions and new challenges, this move is without a doubt a loss for the community. Shannon took over as director five years ago; she helped keep it running under difficult circumstances in the temporary set-up at the old community centre, and was ultimately an instrumental and driving force when it came time to establishing it in the "new" community centre.

With the support of a strong core staff and the Friends of the Library, Shannon did not simply set up a new location for people to rent books, she created a place where the community gathers and learns. She helped build an environment where kids through to seniors feel at ease, stimulated and connected to each other. A place where people come to exchange and discover new ideas.

Shannon has brought in wonderful speakers and organized presentations and programs that one doesn't often see in the average small town, all on a very tight budget.

The library has become a safe haven for our kids, and for community members of all ages for that matter. It is a place where they can, not only discover the wonders of reading, but also engage in meaningful interaction with their neighbours, participate in the widest array of activities and explore new ideas.

The Pemberton & District Public Library is truly a special place, as well as the hub of our crazy little town and much of this can be attributed to the hard work and broad vision of Shannon Didier.

For all these reasons I feel it would be a terrible disservice not to acknowledge Shannon and the work she has done for Pemberton.

So on behalf of my family and if I may, on behalf of the greater Pemberton community I would like to take this opportunity to say thank you; for the effort and time you have put in, for the creative thinking and vision you brought and for the gentle thoughtfulness that is definitely reflected in our awesome library. Cheers Shannon, you have left some big shoes to fill and though you will be missed we wish you all the best in your next adventure!

Mike Richman

Pemberton

An Inspirational Dream

Editor's note — The Grade 8 class at Whistler Secondary school has been studying the representation of adolescents in the media and found that they are over-represented in articles about crime and under-represented in articles about heroes. Along with their English teacher Brianne Aldcroft, they decided to share the stories of teens they see as heroes.

At the young age of 13 Shannen Koostachin became an inspirational hero. In Koostachin's short life, she developed a reputation across Canada as a passionate fighter for the rights of First Nation children. For as long as she could remember she was passionate about going to school. The only problem was that she had never seen a real school.

In Attawapiskat, Ontario, children attended classes in portables. For 10 years, her community had been fighting to get a real school. In November 2007, the federal government walked away on a commitment to build this community a grade school. This is when Shannen Koostachin decided to fight back. Using tools like YouTube and Facebook, the campaign spread like wildfire. Within months, her actions inspired thousands or church groups, students, and teachers all across Canada. Koostachin inspired people with her perseverance and dedication to the cause of building a new elementary school in her community.

At the age of 14, Koostachin was nominated for the International Children's Peace Prize. In December, 2009, the government finally agreed to build a school.

In Grade 9, Koostachin left her community and went to a non-native high school in New Liskeard, Ontario. At her new high school, she was asked to be a lead dancer at their annual powwow. She was thrilled that they had asked her, although she never got the chance. Days before the powwow, she was killed in a hideous car accident. Her death was devastating, not just in her community but among educational leaders, and students across Canada.

Shannen Koostachin was only 13 when she started her fight against the government for her community. This passionate hero changed education for the Native children in Attawapiskat. Koostachin gave this simple message: "I would tell the children not to be afraid, to follow their dreams. I would tell them to never give up hope. Get up, pick up your books, and go to school (just not in portables)."

Teen heroes do exist.

Sadye Hill-Auld

Whistler 

Joan of Arc: hero of France

At seventeen years of age, Joan of Arc led French soldiers into battle. Her goal was to reclaim France's land that had been taken over by the English. She successfully completed her goal taking Saint Loup, Saint Jean le Blanc, Jean d'Orleans, Saint Augustins and les Tourelles. Sadly, she was captured and burned at the age of 19 on May 30, 1431. But 581 years after her death, Joan's legacy lives on.

Jehanne d'Arc (Joan of Arc) was born January 16, 1412 to Jacques and Isabelle d'Arc in the small village of Domremy France, which is now part of Lorraine France. In her younger years Joan led the life of a regular peasant girl — helping her family and visiting the church everyday. Although she never learned to read and write she was very good with her hands. She was a courageous, determined and highly religious person. At the age of 12, she began to experience visions of saints and angels who told her to visit church regularly, but after a while they began to tell her to go and speak to King Charles Vll. As France's last hope Charles granted Joan permission to lead an army into battle.

On May 4, 1429 Joan's army attacked the fortress of St. Loup, followed by St. Jean le Blanc on May 5. The next day Joan's army attacked St. Augustins and on May 7 they attacked the English stronghold called "les Tourelles." Not only did Joan succeed in leading her army to obtain such a feat, she also cleaned up the soldiers' act by making it requirement for soldiers to go to church confession, give up swearing and avoid looting or harassing.

Joan became so loved by the people that she earned the reputation as "another St. Catherine come down to earth."

Without Joan France probably would have been entirely taken over by the English, which makes France forever in her debt. Sadly, Joan was captured and sold to the English. Joan attempted to escape many times. In one attempt she jumped off a tower and survived a 60-foot fall, but was knocked unconscious and recaptured.

Joan was sentenced to death and burned at the stake by the English at age 19. In addition, the English raked back the coals to expose her charred body so no one could claim she had escaped alive. The English then burned her twice more into ashes so that no relics could be collected. Before Joan died, she requested a cross to be held in front for her to see. She requested them to, "Hold the cross high so I may see it through the flames!"

Joan of Arc has been the subject of plays, books and more than 20 movies. Joan had such a large impact on the world that there is now a St. Joan of Arc feast day celebrated on May 30. Even though Joan lived almost 600 years ago her life is reasonably well documented. Not only did Joan stand up for what she believed in, she reclaimed France's land, which makes her forever remembered. Joan is considered one of the greatest heroes of all time for her courage and daring.

"I am not afraid...I was born to do this" (Joan of arc 1412 -1431).

Emma Mackie

Whistler

Community steps up

Once again, the community of Whistler has come together to support those in need. These past few months, numerous individuals and businesses have shown their support of the Whistler Community Services Society (WCSS) Food Bank.

WCSS would like to thank those who have taken the time and made the effort in one or all of the following ways: organizing a Food Drive, making the food bank a recipient of a staff event, donating proceeds from a club get together, donating unsold food items from a store, or making a non-perishable food item (or cash) for the food bank an entrance requirement to a party, sporting event etc. The list of supporters is extensive.

Big Thanks to Nesters, IGA, Creekside and The Grocery Store and to the many individuals and businesses who have been filling the donation bins there. With the busy season upon us and the usage at the food bank at a steady high, it is encouraging to see how the shelves at the food bank have been filling.

Many users of the food bank are seasonal workers who arrive and expect to find work quickly, but find that harder than expected, or are unable to secure full-time hours right away. There are also many locals who often find a bit of lag time between their regular summer and winter jobs and if that down time is longer than expected they need the food bank.

In both cases, individuals and families may need a bit of assistance to get through financially until their next cheque comes in.

While Non-perishable items are greatly appreciated, fund raisers that have amounted to dollars donated this fall, have helped us buy much needed items such as a new scale, two dollies and a new computer...all of which are replacing items that were in poor working order.

A heartfelt thank-you to the community at large for your overwhelming support!

You too can help out by organizing a Food Drive — visit www.mywcss.org/food-bank to learn how. Or you can call the food bank coordinator directly at 604-935-7717.

Happy holidays and a healthy, happy New Year

Talya Shore

Whistler Community Services Society

Food Bank Coordinator

Christmas Present!

I would like to say a huge thank you to the guy who returned my jacket and phone (gift wrapped!) to me on Christmas day after it had gone missing from coat check the night before. It really made my day. I hope you and your housemates had an awesome Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Lisa Throckmorton

Whistler

Dishonest people make me crazy!

On Christmas Eve at approximately 1 p.m. I was stopped in the dedicated left turn lane to turn into Marketplace from Lorimer Rd. The road was snow packed and very slippery and suddenly I was hit from behind by a white car.

The driver of the car and myself got out to assess damages. He introduced himself as Chris (?), apologized and as my vehicle was higher than his, all the damage done to my Chevy Traverse was that the trailer hitch cover popped off. His vehicle had a large crack on the bumper.

He suggested we turn in to Marketplace to exchange information, and as we were "sitting ducks" on the slippery road, I agreed it would be safer. I saw in my rear-view mirror he did turn in, and as I looked ahead to park in the MacDonalds loading zone, which would give us room in a very busy lot, he took off!

The bus stop on Lorimer was crowded, and I only hope that someone noticed what kind of vehicle it was as I took quite a jolt and I believed him when he said he'd follow me.

I posted a note at the bus stop but so far have heard nothing......So "Chris," know that karma will get you, and everyone of us out there that drive, appreciate it's people like you that drive insurance rates even higher. Thank you so much!

The whiplash I sustained will heal with therapy and time, but my disgust that you were such a coward will stay with me for a long time! I wonder if you perhaps had a little too much après, or perhaps you didn't have a valid drivers license?

Regardless, your actions are a reminder that sadly there are people in this world who have no conscience or morals. Hope you had a wonderful Christmas, you gave me the best present EVER as I've always wanted a headache that lasted for five solid days, (not to mention the neck, shoulder and back pain) and I love the fact that it's going to cost a lot for physio!

Celia Mclellan

Time to find a voice?

I think that if the pipeline is a huge Canadian issue our resort should play a big part in the outcome. Could we please see more anti-pipeline solidarity? Solidarity means a showing of opinion and strength. Is Whistler right or left? If we are hoping, like the leftists, to protect the land, then let's protest! Don't give the rich companies everything they want — make them stop!

I am a resident living in Europe and have lived first hand the wonderful protests here. And it all leads to looking for signatures and changes in the common working of the law — a nation calling for a change in the constitution.

More protests!

Diana Day

Razo, Coruna

Community steps up

Once again, the community of Whistler has come together to support those in need. These past few months, numerous individuals and businesses have shown their support of the Whistler Community Services Society (WCSS) Food Bank.

WCSS would like to thank those who have taken the time and made the effort in one or all of the following ways: organizing a Food Drive, making the food bank a recipient of a staff event, donating proceeds from a club get together, donating unsold food items from a store, or making a non-perishable food item (or cash) for the food bank an entrance requirement to a party, sporting event etc. The list of supporters is extensive.

Big Thanks to Nesters, IGA, Creekside and The Grocery Store and to the many individuals and businesses who have been filling the donation bins there. With the busy season upon us and the usage at the food bank at a steady high, it is encouraging to see how the shelves at the food bank have been filling.

Many users of the food bank are seasonal workers who arrive and expect to find work quickly, but find that harder than expected, or are unable to secure full-time hours right away. There are also many locals who often find a bit of lag time between their regular summer and winter jobs and if that down time is longer than expected they need the food bank.

In both cases, individuals and families may need a bit of assistance to get through financially until their next cheque comes in.

While Non-perishable items are greatly appreciated, fund raisers that have amounted to dollars donated this fall, have helped us buy much needed items such as a new scale, two dollies and a new computer...all of which are replacing items that were in poor working order.

A heartfelt thank-you to the community at large for your overwhelming support!

You too can help out by organizing a Food Drive — visit www.mywcss.org/food-bank to learn how. Or you can call the food bank coordinator directly at 604-935-7717.

Happy holidays and a healthy, happy New Year.

Talya Shore

Whistler Community Services Society

Food Bank Coordinator