Whistler Mountain re-opens this weekend, but with lots of snow still up top some of the summer activities won’t be available for a while. Local naturalist Ken Watson will be offering snowshoe rentals and tours, helicopter flight seeing tours will be available and guided mountain bike descents will be offered. The Mainline mountain bike route has been plowed, so riders will be on a dirt/gravel surface but riding between massive banks of snow. Pika’s Restaurant will also be open. Whistler Mountain is open the next three weekends, then daily beginning June 21. As the snow melts hiking, horseback riding and nature tours will be offered at the top of the mountain. The Vancouver Symphony Orchestra returns for the annual mountain-top concert on Aug. 10. The organizers of the second St. Jean Baptiste weekend, June 21-24 at Blackcomb, are looking for volunteers interested in helping out with the bonfire at midnight, June 23. Known now as the Fete de la Musique, the weekend festival is a celebration of Quebec music, with a number of French Canadian musicians returning with dance, rock and folk music. At midnight, June 23, one of the most important celebrations of the year in Catholic countries takes place, the Noche de San Juan. Involving fireworks, burning papier mache statues and bonfires, the night is full of colour and celebration. Fete de la Musique organizers are looking for volunteers to help out with the fireworks. Call 938-7563 if you’re interested. June 21, the summer solstice, has been declared National Aboriginal Day by the federal government. The day is intended to mark the contribution of Indian, Inuit and Metis have made to Canada. While not a statutory holiday, National Aboriginal Day is a day of recognition for all Canadians. It will be the first of a series of celebrations, including St. Jean Baptiste Day June 24 and Canada Day July 1.
