Skip to content
Join our Newsletter

Letters to the editor

The recent tragedy on the Squamish Highway last Saturday, Jan. 31, can’t help but make us step back and take a look at our own lives, let alone try to imagine the grief and loss that family and friends of those killed must feel.

The recent tragedy on the Squamish Highway last Saturday, Jan. 31, can’t help but make us step back and take a look at our own lives, let alone try to imagine the grief and loss that family and friends of those killed must feel.

This is not the first time that such a tragedy has struck commuters within the community corridor. I urge the city councillors between Squamish, Whistler and Pemberton to re-assess the need for affordable, timely transit between the corridor communities. This will allow our Whistler workers to travel in a safe, stress free environment in an ever increasing congested highway.

Kenneth Boatwright

Whistler

Re: Seven killed in Sea to Sky crash

Mayor Sutherland’s call for a drop in speed limits on the Sea to Sky Highway is a politician’s simplistic knee-jerk response that fails to examine the real cause of the accident. It wasn’t speed that killed those seven people; it was the low-cost, barrier-free design of the highway. That particular section of the Sea to Sky highway, from Cleveland Avenue all the way north to Whistler, should have a concrete barrier dividing the opposing lanes of traffic. In particular, the 20 kilometre segment immediately north of Squamish where the speed limit is mostly 90 km/h.

Remember, this is a major arterial highway used by thousands of vehicles everyday. The current speed limits of 80 km/h, and in some areas 90 km/h, are very appropriate for the grade and alignment of the road. What is needed is to physically divide the highway – it just takes a momentary distraction (screaming kids, arguing spouse, buzzing bee, cell phone ringing, etc.) to result in a driver drifting over the centre line. And if the fates aren’t smiling, then the result can be a head-on collision, which are usually fatal at any speed over 50 km/h.

Think back to the cut up the mountain on the Upper Levels Highway in North Vancouver (the one parallel to Mountain Highway just north of the Second Narrows Iron Workers Memorial Bridge). When it was originally opened it had no centre-line concrete barrier. It took a similar accident where a car crossed over the centre-line resulting in a fatal head-on collision, before a coroner recommended the divider, which the highways department eventually installed.

So let’s get those barriers in place now, before more people are killed through no fault of their own, save government’s fiscal restraint.

Alex Boivin

Vancouver

 

Manabu Ishikawa. What a Guy!

Always smiling one of those unforgettable types of smiles.

We were the image of world peace last Wednesday – Japan, Canada, France, America and Australia combined through our passion for powder.

There were 11 of us, the sky was blue, the snow was fresh. A bluebird day.

Manabu was not used to "early" mornings. He usually rode later in the day, preferring to get a sleep in. We were leaving home at about 8.30 and as we waited for our other roommate to tie his boots I looked at Manabu, who spun around 360 and flashed me one of those famous smiles.

As we approached the car Manabu stepped into the new snow and said "nice snow". His English was improving every day.

When we first moved into the house, he hardly spoke a word to my boyfriend or me.

We spent many nights communicating through gesture and endlessly rephrased our sentences, breaking the language barrier with the help from each member of our household of nine.

On the way to the gondola Manabu bumped into our friend, which made five of us. We were late but still caught up with some of our group in the line. That made eight.

As we caught the gondola up we shared a laugh as some of us belted out a tune at the top of our lungs.

We met the other three members of our group outside the Roundhouse.

Everyone was keen to get the day started.

As a group we were all at different levels, from intermediate upwards.

The French Canadians led the pack with the Aussies bringing up the rear.

We reached the bottom of the Red Chair with a few stops on the way – the group waited for each member to catch up before going on.

I looked to my left and there was Manabu in his bright red jacket. He was very patient with us. He liked to jib around on runs and take it nice and easy.

He was the opposite at home when it came to the Play Station; he loved to go for the big tricks when he played the Tony Hawk skating game!

Manabu had won the money to come here through gambling. We played cards and board games often and I have an everlasting image of Manabu with piles of cash when he kicked butt at monopoly. For these reasons I nicknamed him "lucky" – it sounds better in Japanese.

We stood in line for the Red Chair, Manabu told our roommate that he was glad he got up early that day and it was his best day at Whistler. On the lift he said that the snow looked delicious – like ice cream on the rocks.

When we got to the top of the chairlift, everyone was waving us over excitedly because the Peak chairlift had just opened and they were about to open the T-bars to the right of Harmony.

I felt afraid of T-bars but the group was really positive and encouraging. I made it to the top and everyone was happy.

When we got to the top of the T-bar, we cut under a plain blue rope onto Pika’s Traverse.

I didn’t think twice of the rope because we were in a big group and I felt comfortable among friends who have had multiple seasons at Whistler.

It was not long before we were nearing the Back Bowl, which was accessible from the Harmony Chair.

We dropped in at different intervals and it was awesome, we were knee-deep in pow-pow.

We were some of the first people on the run and got fresh tracks.

When we arrived at the bottom of the bowl my buddy informed me that our friend had hit the rocks.

Everything went into a surreal form of slow motion.

I looked up to see the ugly faces of the rocks and feared the worst.

My boyfriend hiked up to the rocks as we waited and prayed.

A skier had arrived first on the scene; he was waving his arms. I saw his red jacket and thought it was Manabu in distress.

"We’ve sent for someone, buddy," I said under my breath.

Sadly our friend who was riding behind him and waiting for patrol rode down and told me that he was not moving and he was bleeding.

As you can imagine the news that followed left us all in shock.

Many people witnessed the scene as they took the same path as us.

The purpose in writing this reflection is to expose that Manabu was not being stupid or irresponsible – he was being trusting.

It’s hard to write exactly what happened but if Manabu was planning to take a big jump that day he probably would have worn his helmet, which sadly would not have made a difference.

The run we were on was not out of bounds; it was accessible from Harmony and all 11 of us agree that we did not see a single sign in place to indicate that there were unmarked hazards or the ability required for the run.

The day ended in terror that was combined with anger for me as we came to terms with the death of our friend and watched as our Japanese friends were asked questions that seemed would clear the mountain of any responsibility, rather than writing their own account.

Manabu had attended snowboard school and knew how to read signs.

I am not trying to push blame or responsibility in other directions, but I think that as a community we all have to take extra precautions and not trust that all hazards are marked.

Manabu would only have seen fresh white snow from above the rocks.

I feel cheated to have played a role in Manabu’s fate and none of the "what ifs?" will bring him back. Each and every element of last Wednesday made us arrive at this tragic circumstance.

After meeting with Manabu’s parents and reading newspaper articles, I feel that the lead up to my friend’s death is being misrepresented and I hope that this story will set my mind at ease and allow Manabu to rest in peace.

Manabu did not suffer. That is our fate.

We will remember him forever young.

Stay lucky Manabu.

Tanya Hargreaves

Whistler

 

Tribute to a friend

I believe it was early November, 1984. We had just received three feet of new snow in the valley, such a welcome opener for the new ski cabin purchase in Emerald Estates! Blackcomb opened on Nov. 4th that year, and, as we were enjoying pints in the Longhorn after a superb day, along came Wayne Phillips, full of enthusiasm; a new arrival out here on a ski week from Ontario.

He was hooked; convinced that this was the place to spend the winter, and he decided to join our ski cabin group, after flying home for the holidays. Wayne returned here the next winter, and several more winters, before finally deciding to make Whistler his home. He was the perfect room-mate; a fun loving guy, always willing to pitch in and help others – our "team leader", trusted by all.

He loved his faithful pal, "Duke", a playful Great Dane who shared the life and enthusiasm of his Master. One day, when the inevetible happened, the three of us took that long drive down to the vet. in Squamish. We shared a beer, and shed a tear, as only the two of us returned.

I'll never forget the shock and grief that overcame me yesterday, while browsing through the pages of the latest Pique, informing me of his untimely death, and of his funeral which was held the previous day. To his family, his co-workers, and his many friends, I extend my deepest condolences. Wayne's love of nature and adventure took his life, but he left us doing what he enjoyed most. And we still have all those fond memories.

He's probably way up there now, far above the Peak Chair, checking out the "run of the day", with his arm around his beloved Duke.

May they rest together, forever, in Eternal Peace.

Terry F. Rea

Vancouver

 

It was with great sadness that I learned of the passing of Mr. Benaschak and happiness to discover that Altitude week will continue in his memory. As a hospitality worker, I look forward to Altitude each year as the participants are enthusiastic, the week is well organized and the evening events well planned.

This is in stark contrast to the gong-show that occurred during the recent MLK American long weekend. It is incomprehensible to me how a tour operator can deposit thousands of college students in Whistler with no organization other than transportation and lodging. Unlike Altitude, which orients its participants with maps, restaurant guides and general information, this group was seemingly lost either with currency conversion, policy on two pieces of identification or even the name of their hotel when they were intoxicated, lost and asking for directions.

While not all this group were unruly, I did receive comments from other guest all weekend ranging from "Where do the adults go in this town?" to "If we knew they were all here this weekend, we would have come at another time."

I simply believe that if as a tour operator you are knowingly bringing large groups to Whistler then you should be providing another form of evening entertainment other than promoting "19 is legal to drink" as part of the tour package. This is especially imperative with groups containing those under the age of 19, as is the case every year just before Christmas week. Rent a conference room, show a ski flick, give out half-price tickets to the movies or skating at Meadow Park. There are lots of options. If Tourism Whistler is providing an "all alert bulletin" to the various bars and restaurants regarding these groups, then they are aware of the situation and should be working with these tour operators in a pro-active way to provide a better vacation for both their clients and the other visitors to Whistler.

Amy Huddle

Whistler

 

In last week’s Maxed Out column, G.D. Maxwell suggested the only reason I have been a supporter of housing in the Callaghan is because of my own self-interest, that "...he would, himself, kind of like to have a little single-family place with a bit of dirt around it and he sees the Callaghan option as being the most likely one to deliver it."

For the record, I am fortunate enough to already have a single-family place and yes, it does have a patch of dirt around it. It's a nice patch of dirt too. We worked hard on it and a couple of years ago we even won an award from the Whistler Gardening Club (well so did everyone who entered but we're pretty proud of it anyway). Our family is not on any housing waiting list. I do however think it would be a great place for any of our kids who may want to remain in Whistler or as a very attractive option for affordable retirement without having to leave the valley. I guess that kind of thinking also makes the Mature Action Committee (who is putting forward the idea of senior's housing in the valley) guilty of enlightened self-interest.

While reading G.D.’s column I was getting the feeling the he was remembering why this community adopted a bed cap so many years ago, what it was we were trying to preserve in this valley, but G.D. got so distracted squeezing out an epiphany about self-interest that the vision and how we might maintain it got lost in the haze.

The Callaghan option is about ideas and the perception that it could offer realistic affordable housing solutions for real people and real families, without compromising our neighbourhoods. Those ideas are:

• If we fail to provide realistic housing options in Whistler then people will continue moving to Pemberton and Squamish, both of which are a lot further away than the Callaghan – leading to longer commutes, and more vehicles making those long commutes.

• The Callaghan is to be developed already with a Nordic facility, golf course, hotel and applications have been before the SLRD for other commercial development. It is not a pristine area.

• It is a wide open south-facing location that gets year-round all-day sun. It provides excellent opportunities to use passive and active solar energy systems and to implement community greenhouses.

• Strategically it puts Whistler in a lead position for influencing development there. I'd rather have the progressive thinking and planning expertise that exists in our community showing the way on sustainable development rather than leaving it to either the corporate sector, Victoria, the SLRD or Bill 75.

• It would leave our existing neighbourhoods, and the areas surrounding them much as they are today, albeit with a limited number of in-fill housing projects.

The option of housing in the Callaghan does not appear to enjoy much support but for the reasons above I believe it has many advantages for the community and yes, in my self-interest as a member of this community.

Eckhard Zeidler

Whistler

 

Changing the mind of Max

I was truly stunned to read Max's column in last week's Pique.

I've known Eckhard Zeidler for more than four years now. As Max states, Eckhard is indeed a thoughtful, smart guy and knows a lot about urban sprawl, planning and green things in general. Nevertheless, my wildest imagination would not have led me to believe that Eckhard possessed the power to change the mind of G.D. Maxwell. Eckhard, my already highest regards for you just tripled. However, that doesn't mean I agree with you or the newly enlightened self-interest of Max on developing a restricted housing community in the Callaghan.

Max ended last week's column by questioning, "How could I have been so wrong?" This whole business of the CSP scenarios is not about right or wrong. There is no right or wrong, only choice. I'm not too concerned whether people make their choice on enlightened self-interest, like Eckhard and the Max of now. Or on some nebulous greater good like the pre-enlightened Max of then, but that they think about Whistler and how it might be in 20 years, make a choice and provide their input. The collectiveness of our choices and input will ultimately determine Whistler's future. I'll put my trust in that. I don't feel the need to write hundreds of words promoting my choice or refuting the choice of others.

At some point we'll all come to realize that whatever scenario (blended or otherwise) is finally selected, it will not make Whistler sustainable. Regardless, the CSP has been and will continue to be a step in the right direction. And good on us for breaking new trail. Let's stay focused and keep the CSP steadily moving forward.

Mitch Rhodes

Whistler

 

The Whistler Blackcomb Foundation held its 12th Annual Telus Winter Classic this past weekend. The event was a huge success and raised more than $140,000 for local charities. As the Executive Director, I often get all the accolades but it is really the collaborative efforts of an entire community that should get the pat on the back. 

We have an ad in this week's Pique (generously donated — thank you) that lists the many businesses and volunteers who made the event a success, but I must take this opportunity to express my sincerest gratitude to a few of those generous people.

First, I must thank Telus who provides the money to cover much of our operational expenses. Secondly, Whistler & Blackcomb Mountains who contribute all the lift tickets, labour and venues to hold the event on the mountain. As well, the Westin Resort & Spa contributes equally and provides a professional and elegant experience for our guests. Without these three sponsors, the event simply wouldn’t happen.

Also, thank you to the local businesses who generously donated more than 150 items from for our auction. In particular, I’d like to mention the following businesses that made a significant difference to the quality of our Saturday ‘Paradise on Ice’ event:

Rocky Mountain Sound

Furocious Productions

Market Catering

April Tidey Design

Also, I can’t say enough about the many locals who took time out of their busy schedules to help us out. The 35 Whistler-Blackcomb ski coaches, the 120+ volunteers and the Whistler-Blackcomb staff who took care of our guests and ensured everything ran smoothly.

Lastly, to my sidekicks Mei McCurdy, Carole Mains, Arden Sauer and Amy Buchanan, you are all amazing and made the event spectacular with your great ideas, fun-loving dispositions and impeccable organizational skills.

My sincerest gratitude,

Louise Lundy

Executive Director

 

While visiting Whistler the week of Jan. 12th, I dropped two post cards on my way to the Post Office in the Marketplace. A kind and generous woman, know to me only as Sofia, found the cards, put stamps on them, and mailed them for me.

Sofia, thank you so much for going out of your way to perform this act of kindness for a total stranger. You must be quite a gal!

Toni Weaver

McHenry, IL, USA