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Mr. Joe Hallo, wanna-be director of his proposed Alpina Ski School, does not appear to have done his homework correctly if he thinks there is any niche for "European-style" (whatever that is) instruction at Whistler-Blackcomb.

Mr. Joe Hallo, wanna-be director of his proposed Alpina Ski School, does not appear to have done his homework correctly if he thinks there is any niche for "European-style" (whatever that is) instruction at Whistler-Blackcomb. He justifies his ambitions by stating that "not everyone wants a Chevrolet, some people want to buy a Mercedes." Ouch! That is the sound of a man shoving his ski boot into his mouth if ever I heard one.

Clearly, Mr. Hallo does not realise that the Whistler-Blackcomb Ski and Snowboard School already has a large and cosmopolitan staff of instructors speaking numerous European languages. Evidently he has not absorbed our wide-ranging menu of choices on lessons, multi-day programs and lesson packages of all types, for all levels of skiers and boarders. Obviously he does not communicate with the thousands of British (and increasingly, other Europeans) who annually make the 10-hour trek from the UK to Whistler and other North American resorts because they prefer the North American product, including our outstanding ski schools and top-notch instructors and coaches.

And clearly he has not discussed this with any of the instructors teaching private lessons for the ski school (such as myself) who happily accommodate our highly-valued clients with a quality of service and professionalism that goes well beyond the ski lesson itself.

Why on earth does he think that a "European style" ski school could possibly top the quality of product already offered here? Or perhaps by "European style" he means instructors who smoke through every chairlift ride, disparage their clients’ skiing ability to the point of tears, abandon beginners at the top of the T-bar at the stroke of clocking-off time, and still teach their clients the "feet glued together and rotate" style popular at the time of wooden skis and leather boots, to name just a few of the horror stories about some European ski schools told to me by my European clients.

As for the Chevrolet-Mercedes remark, that is the most outrageous insult to all the hard-working, highly professional instructors who work alongside me on the mountains that I have ever heard, and I take great exception to it. Better make sure you don't run into me on the slopes Mr. Hallo or it will be "goodbye" for you with a well-aimed punch to the nose, on behalf of all my Mercedes-level colleagues. It will look good with that ski boot you have planted firmly in your mouth.

Linda M McGaw

Whistler

A hearty thanks to all the great folks who appreciate our version of Celtic rock and for putting votes in for us (Leanne & Kyla).

To sit next in line to an icon like Guitar Doug and the likes of Pete & Chad is an honour. I wouldn't be doing what I'm doing if it weren't for them. Local musicians will agree that they spearheaded the local infiltration into the live venues in Whistler.

The non-locals are hard pressed to surpass any talent we have here in Whistler. Thanks to locals who support locals.

I Love You Too Whistler

Leanne Lamour'

(formerly known as Leanne Lamoureux)

Whistler

Re: Irony of Least like Whistler

I enjoyed reading the Best of Whistler issue. As a newcomer to town it was enlightening. I especially liked the Best Make Out Spot award.

However, I was puzzled by the award for the "Place Least like Whistler" – the Whistler-Blackcomb offices.

First, I have only been here for three months, but it seems clear to me that the people in this building are focused on the mountain. The municipality, city council and other organizations appear to have more involvement with peoples lives than anyone near my office.

For me the "least like Whistler" description is totally ironic. The offices, in fact, help define Whistler. One of the reasons I moved to Whistler Blackcomb was because I could throw a snowball from my new office to the Wizard chairlift. During my first interview with Whistler-Blackcomb I toured the building. I immediately noticed in every hallway and office racks filled with snowboards and downhill, tele and nordic ski equipment. On the wall there was a chart that measured staff ski days to encourage them to get up the mountain. On the walls there are pictures of local mountains laden with huge powder. Maybe I interpret what Whistler is supposed to be differently than others, but if it has anything to do with fun and passion for the mountains, I think the Whistler-Blackcomb offices are one of the best representations of Whistler.

Love the mag. Gotta go. Chairlift is opening

Christopher Nicolson

Whistler-Blackcomb

I am writing in response to last week’s letter to the editor from Stan Hagen, Minister of Sustainable Resources, regarding Crown Land tenure for commercial use. I thank the Minister for the information.

I believe the B C. Asset and Land Corp.’s procedure for granting tenure favours commercial uses and ignores concerns of local residents. I have two examples of this and would appreciate a public response from the minister.

1) The proponents of the Miller Creek power project, in seeking approval for their project, presented plans showing, and verbally stated, that road building would terminate in the south fork of Miller Creek. I asked specifically about this point at a meeting when they were seeking the approval of the Miller Creek Livestock Association and at an open house where they were seeking public approval.

This summer the Miller Creek Power Company (boasting "Green Power" each week in local papers) pushed an additional five kilometre road into the "green" alpine meadows of the north fork of Miller Creek. (Maybe that’s what they meant by "green power"!)

We were lied to. Who is responsible for this breach of public trust? Who approved these changes after the public process?

I understand the same company is seeking public approval for the Rutherford Creek power project. I do not think any approval should be given until Minister Stan Hagen guarantees us the project will be built as presented to the public.

2) This summer a snow cat ski guiding company cut a swath of trees along the Miller Creek Ridge located west of Pemberton Meadows. This right of way is about 30 feet wide and two miles long, going through thick fir and continuing through alpine meadows. Trees were bucked in six foot lengths and left to rot. I would like to know what procedure BCAL followed in granting this tenure. Who gave approval for this waste and destruction in this sensitive area? And why I, (as a water licence holder in the affected area) was not contacted during the application and approval process?

Bruce Miller

Pemberton

Well I just got back from Whistler. I had a great time seeing my friends and ringing in the new year with them. But once again the police in Whistler were unprepared and basically made themselves look bad during these New Year’s celebrations.

Last year, while being stopped by police at one of the check points on the highway, some of our liquor was confiscated even though it was in the trunk of our car. We tried to do the right thing by having a designated driver and we were just driving from one friends house to another to ring in the new year. Then on our way back the same thing happened and the rest of our alcohol was taken.

In both situations the police were rude, hot headed and came off as being rather uneducated and poorly trained to do their job.

This year nothing was taken from us but we were confronted by some officers while transferring from one bus to another while trying to get from Function to our friends’ house in Alpine. The bus dropped us off at the bus loop and the cops swooped in like vultures. We had no choice to go to the loop because it was impossible to get a cab and there is no direct bus from Function to Alpine.

The officers who approached us asked us to empty our bags (which were filled with sealed bottles of rye) and then gave us some lectures on how we should have stayed out of the village and how they can take our alcohol if they want but they were being "nice" to us. They seemed as though they were trying to start a bad situation, which is the opposite of what they should be taught in police academy. All of the people we were with were co-operative, friendly and just wanted to get to where we were going.

I hope that the police receive some training to deal with people and how not to create a bad situation. They sure don't do anything for the image that Whistler is trying to project.

All in all though things went smooth during the celebrations.

Marc Taillefer

Vancouver