Pique Newsmagazine 3311

Changing hands, enduring legacy

Sixty years on Whistler Blackcomb. - By Caroline Egan

06 OPENING REMARKS It’s the simple tasks that keep us grounded, writes editor Braden Dupuis—especially when what we’re seeing online is not a great representation of reality.

08 LETTERS TO THE EDITOR This week’s letter-writers weigh in on the passenger rail debate and Whistler’s changing winters.

18 THE OUTSIDER March is when the stars of backcountry objectives can line up perfectly, writes Vince Shuley—so best have your routes planned and your crew ready to go.

42 PIQUE’N YER INTEREST Not only has the scorching of U.S. science not brought meaningful savings, a year later, federal spending has only gone up, writes Leslie Anthony.

10 AGE AGAINST THE MACHINE A new study highlights the growing need for seniors housing in Whistler.

11 STATE EXPECTATIONS Whistler Mayor Jack Crompton told local business leaders the resort is managing well through change at a recent State of the Municipality luncheon.

26 NORDIC EVOLUTION The Whistler Nordics partnered with the Whistler Museum on a new installation highlighting the history of cross-country skiing in the Sea to Sky.

30 HOP ALONG

Whistler-based nature influencer Macaila Wagner reflects on a recent media junket promoting Disney Pixar’s new film, Hoppers

COVER Many thanks and endless gratitude to all who’ve been involved in building this place. Even more to those who still work everyday to keep it the same! - ByJon Parris // @jon.parris.art

Publisher SARAH STROTHER - sstrother@piquenewsmagazine.com

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Contributors G.D. MAXWELL, VINCE SHULEY, LESLIE ANTHONY, GLENDA BARTOSH, ANDREW MITCHELL, LISA RICHARDSON, LIZI MCLOUGHLIN, TOBIAS C. VAN VEEN

Founding Publishers KATHY & BOB BARNETT www.piquenewsmagazine.com

Death, doomscrolling and taxes

ACCORDING TO A QUICK Google search, the term “doomscrolling” first originated on Twitter in 2018. And doesn’t that just seem so quaint here in 2026?

The term of course exploded in popularity and usage in 2020, when we were all confined to our homes as the world shut down for COVID-19—and even that seems somewhat milquetoast compared to the absolute insanity infecting my social feeds in recent weeks.

BY BRADEN DUPUIS

No matter which app I open, the screen is filled with rage-inducing news updates, bald-faced lies and outright propaganda from official sources, and helpful idiots and a literal army of bots amplifying it all for clicks.

Easily identifiable AI fakeries are bought hook, line and sinker in the comments, a preview of a society that may soon never know proper truth again, if it ever really did.

War and death and spiking gas prices. Conspiracy theories running wild in every direction. The global temperature ticking steadily upward and a geopolitical situation teetering somewhere between “uncomfortable” and “catastrophic.”

And now, somehow, I’ve got to do my taxes.

I’ve got to collect all the necessary paperwork. Make sure I haven’t forgotten anything important, lest the government decide to (gasp) audit me.

My stomach is a continuously churning pit of icy, existential anxiety—I can’t open my phone without reading someone mention nuclear weapons— and I still have to do my taxes.

I’ll admit I’m finding it harder to concentrate on the simple tasks lately.

And yet, those are the tasks that keep

us grounded. Especially when we know what we’re seeing online is not a great representation of reality.

Media researchers have actually been warning about this dynamic for decades. Long before social media existed, communications scholar George Gerbner coined the term “mean world syndrome.”

The idea was simple: people who are repeatedly exposed to violent, negative news coverage begin to believe the world is far more dangerous than it actually is.

Gerbner’s research focused largely on television, at a time when the nightly news and the occasional crime drama were about as saturated as the media environment got.

But if television could shape our perception of reality in the 1980s, imagine what an infinite, algorithmically curated doom machine can do in 2026.

Social media platforms, after all, are not designed to calm you down. They’re designed to keep you scrolling. And it turns out that nothing keeps people glued to their screens quite like a steady

You scroll a little further and discover civilization may be collapsing.

You scroll again and someone in the comments is confidently explaining the collapse is actually being orchestrated by a secret cabal of lizard people.

Before you know it, half an hour has passed and your nervous system has quietly decided the world is on fire.

It’s no wonder people feel overwhelmed.

And yet, despite the digital chaos, the real world continues to function in ways that are almost boringly ordinary.

The lifts still carry us up the mountains each morning. The snowplow still grumbles down the street after a storm. Kids still have hockey practice and piano lessons and science projects due on Friday.

And yes, the Canada Revenue Agency still expects its paperwork.

It’s tempting to resent these little obligations when the world feels like it’s teetering on the brink.

But there’s another way to look at them.

Those mundane tasks—the ones we

the worst things happening in it.

In fact, some of the most compelling research on human happiness points to exactly that conclusion. The long-running Harvard Study of Adult Development, one of the longest studies of human wellbeing ever conducted, found that strong social connections and community ties are among the most powerful predictors of a happy and healthy life.

Not wealth or status. Not even career success.

Just people, showing up for one another.

Which is something the internet, with its endless torrent of crisis and conflict, can sometimes make us forget.

If you spend enough time doomscrolling, the entire planet begins to look like one continuous emergency.

But step outside for a moment and the view often looks very different.

The neighbour is walking their dog. Someone’s tinkering with a snowblower in the driveway. People are waiting at the bus stop, ski gear in hand, and the Village Stroll

If you spend enough time doomscrolling, the entire planet begins to look like one continuous emergency. But step outside for a moment and the view often looks very different. The neighbour is walking their dog. Someone’s tinkering with a snowblower in the driveway. People are waiting at the bus stop, ski gear in hand, and the Village Stroll is busy with tourists enjoying the views.

diet of fear, anger and outrage.

The more upsetting the story, the more people look for updates. The more they look for updates, the more updates the algorithm serves them.

It’s a perfect feedback loop.

You open your phone to check the conditions on the mountain and suddenly you’re three posts deep into a geopolitical crisis you have absolutely no control over.

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sigh about, procrastinate on, or complain about over coffee—are also the quiet machinery of a functioning society.

Even smaller things matter.

Checking in on a neighbour. Volunteering at a community event. Helping shovel a driveway after a heavy snowfall.

None of those actions will singlehandedly solve climate change or prevent a war on the other side of the planet. But they remind us the world is more than

is busy with tourists enjoying the view.

Civilization, it turns out, is not maintained by the loudest voices online, but by millions of small, boring, everyday acts of responsibility.

The internet might be convinced the world is ending.

But real life, more often than not, is just quietly carrying on.

Now if you’ll excuse me, these taxes aren’t going to file themselves (apparently).

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Passenger rail debate has ‘left the station’

There will never, ever be a substantive passenger rail service in our corridor again. Never.

For the one per cent who ever actually travelled from North Van to Whistler on the Budd cars for a ski trip, they remember the isolated station at the foot of Pemberton Ave. in North Vancouver, the painfully slow journey along the 70 miles to Creekside (two hours and 40 minutes plus) and the often delayed late departures and arrivals.

The numbers don’t support it. People won’t give up their cars and the bus service is more than adequate, can easily be expanded and runs directly from downtown adjacent to many hotels and the airport Skytrain.

Without billions in rail and rolling stock upgrades to substantially shorten travel time, together with integrated transportation systems and timetables, a return to a rail refresh is a non-starter.

“Perhaps,” there may be a place for small and very specific “rail-bus” links north of Pemberton such as the existing Koaham service—but that’s it.

This discussion makes for editorials and letters of limited depth but does not warrant the expenditure of “any” exploratory taxpayer dollars.

Town councils, chambers of

commerce and train buffs can ponder all they want, just don’t ask the public to fund their pipe dreams.

The discussion and debate has left the station (for the last time).

B.K. Buchholz—Former ‘BC RailCaribou Prospector’ Employee // Whistler Whistler’s changing winters ‘a sobering sight’ I just spent the last two weeks in Whistler, split between work and play. It was difficult to get on a plane to go home as

this place remains truly magical. However, what always strikes me during my visits is how much the mountains have changed since my stint as a ski instructor in the mid-’90s. You can see it in the receding Blackcomb Glacier, the thinning snowpack in the valley, the lack of ice on Alta and Nita Lakes and the increasingly limited access to terrain that used to be a given. It is a sobering sight for this community and for our identity as Canadians. Winter is woven into who we are. Recent

data shows that 89 per cent of Canadians identify nature as a key element of their national identity, and nearly 80 per cent prioritize time spent recreating outdoors.

Protect Our Winters Canada recently released a report highlighting the massive economic impact of the outdoor recreation economy, a sector now larger in size to forestry, agriculture and comparable to the oil and gas industry in its economic contributions. Winter doesn’t just provide a backdrop for sport, it supports jobs, tourism, water systems, and entire regional economies. If something this fundamental to our community’s function is becoming less reliable, it should be a frontpage concern, not background noise.

The climate is shifting whether we acknowledge it or not. Here in the Sea to Sky, we are seeing more rain and fewer pow days. These consequences aren’t abstract, they are economic realities that should concern us all.

The solutions exist, but they require action. We must ensure our provincial and federal governments understand that winter is a pillar of our local and national economy, and requires the same attention as other major Canadian industries. The real question is whether we are willing to have an honest conversation about what is at stake and what needs to be done.

Let’s start that conversation today.

Dave Erb // executive director, Protect Our Winters Canada n

Backcountry Update

AS OF WEDNESDAY, MARCH 11

After last weekend’s storm delivered rain up to alpine elevations, the region has seen a week of unsettled weather. Several waves of snowfall have moved through, accompanied by variable winds. As a result, snow accumulation has been highly inconsistent, with amounts varying dramatically over short distances. On top of this, short periods of sun continue to form thin sun crusts on southfacing slopes.

Avalanche danger is currently driven by this ongoing weather. Recent snow from throughout the week sits atop a generally settled and strong underlying snowpack, but localized wind and snowfall continue to produce fresh wind and storm slabs. Because of this variability, both riding conditions and avalanche risk can differ significantly between areas, or even between nearby slopes.

If you’re heading into the backcountry

this weekend, carefully assess your local conditions. Careful observation and conservative decision-making will be key to managing the variable conditions. Snow accumulation, wind effect, and slab formation are likely to differ more than usual, so avoid assuming that what you observe in one place applies everywhere. Stay flexible with your terrain choices and be prepared to adjust your plans as you gather new information throughout the day.

Looking ahead, the forecast calls for freezing levels to rise dramatically and potentially rain late in the weekend and into next week. If this warming arrives earlier than expected, it could rapidly alter snowpack conditions and increase avalanche danger sooner than anticipated. Pay close attention to the avalanche forecast to anticipate this change. It’s updated daily on avalanche. ca and through the Avalanche Canada mobile app. n

CONDITIONS MAY VARY AND CAN CHANGE RAPIDLY Check for the most current conditions before heading out into the backcountry. Daily updates for the areas adjacent to Whistler Blackcomb are available at 604-938-7676, or surf to www.whistlerblackcomb.com/mountain-info/ snow-report#backcountry or go to www.avalanche.ca.

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Aging in place: study highlights growing need for seniors housing in Whistler

MAC URGES MUNICIPALITY TO PARTNER ON NEW HOUSING OPTIONS AS COUNCIL ACKNOWLEDGES GAP IN SERVICES FOR OLDER RESIDENTS

BY LUKE FAULKS

A NEW STUDY examining the housing and care needs of older adults in Whistler warns the resort community risks forcing longtime residents to leave town as they age unless new seniors housing options are developed.

Presenting the findings to Whistler council on March 10, Whistler Mature Action Community (MAC) housing committee chair Anne Townley said the report underscores a widening gap between the needs of older residents and the housing currently available in the community.

“2026 in the Whistler community is the year of the senior, the fired-up senior,” Townley told council. “2026 is the year to get ambitious about key issues facing Whistler’s growing seniors community and embrace change.”

Commissioned by MAC and the Whistler Elders Enrichment Society, the report by Vancouver-based Lumina Senior Housing Consultants analyzes local demographics, incomes, housing supply and potential development models for seniors housing in the Resort Municipality of Whistler (RMOW).

Its core conclusion: despite its reputation as a livable mountain town, Whistler lacks dedicated housing options for seniors who want to remain in the community as their needs change.

A MISSING PIECE IN WHISTLER’S HOUSING PUZZLE

According to the report, Whistler is unusual among comparable B.C. resort

towns because it has almost no housing specifically designed for seniors.

“Whistler is the only similarly sized municipality in the province with no senior-specific housing except for select housing units managed by the Whistler Housing Authority,” Townley said in her presentation.

Currently, seniors housing connected to the Whistler Housing Authority includes 20 ownership units at Solana in Rainbow, a 20-unit rental building in the same neighbourhood and several priority units in other employee housing developments. About 480 seniors currently live in WHA housing, Townley said.

But those units represent only a small fraction of the potential demand.

When the most recent Solana unit became available, she noted, “18 seniors expressed interest.”

Beyond those limited options, many older residents face a difficult choice: remain in homes that may no longer suit their needs, or leave the community altogether.

“As [Lumina] noted, many older Whistler residents in need of even minor assistance as they age are faced with the prospect of having to leave the community they have lived in and supported for 20, 30, 40 years,” Townley said. “That’s a very cruel prospect to face after decades of commitment to the community they have called home.”

DEMOGRAPHIC PRESSURES AHEAD

The Lumina study suggests the problem will intensify over the coming decades.

Across the Howe Sound Local Health Area—which includes Whistler, Squamish and Pemberton—the population of residents aged 75 and older is projected to grow by roughly 86 per cent between 2024 and 2046.

The report also notes the number of

permanent Whistler residents aged 55 and older is expected to increase by more than 50 per cent over the next two decades.

At the same time, most seniors in Whistler own their homes and have relatively high incomes compared to provincial averages. According to census analysis included in the report, roughly 85 per cent of households headed by someone over 55 are homeowners.

That income profile creates a unique challenge, MAC said.

“Both renters and owners have higher incomes than provincial averages,” Townley told council. “That means government funding programs aimed at low- and moderate-income renters will likely not apply in Whistler.”

Instead, future seniors housing projects will likely need to rely on a mix of private financing, homeowner equity, philanthropic contributions and grant funding.

AGING IN PLACE HAS ITS LIMITS

Many seniors would prefer to remain in their current homes as they age. But the report notes aging in place isn’t always practical.

Townley said half of respondents to a local age-friendly community survey reported their homes are not accessible or cannot be easily adapted for aging.

Whistler was officially designated an “age-friendly community” by the province in 2023, following earlier municipal planning efforts that identified seniors housing and aging-inplace supports as priorities.

But Townley said the designation carries an expectation the municipality will act.

“The development of a seniors housing project in the RMOW would certainly help solidify our age-friendly status by recognizing and acting on the expressed desires of a great many Whistler residents,” she said.

The Lumina report explores a range of possible housing models, from independent living developments to assisted living and other forms of “service-enriched” housing that provide meals, housekeeping or light care.

One concept under discussion is a “life lease” model, which allows seniors to use the equity from selling their homes to finance entry into a housing development operated by a non-profit organization.

The report also points to projects like Bowen Island’s Snug Cove House—a 24-unit senior-friendly accommodation with “monthly [$5,000] rentals, meals, housekeeping, laundry, and social activities.”

The report noted that, while “a clear majority (56 per cent) of focus group attendees expressed a preference for an ownership model for a new seniors housing project, 31 per cent preferred a rental model.”

MAC is currently working with a private developer to build a new “Solanalike” project aimed at seniors who want to downsize from single-family homes but remain in the community. But Townley stressed market developments alone will not meet the full range of needs.

If the community wants non-market seniors housing—similar to employee housing built under the Whistler Housing Authority—Townley said the biggest hurdle will be land costs.

MAC is asking the municipality to become an active partner by identifying potential sites within its land inventory that could be used for a seniors housing project. Specifically, the organization is seeking a municipal commitment to explore partnerships, assign staff to work with MAC on the issue and identify suitable parcels within the municipality’s land bank.

With the senior population expected to grow steadily over the next two decades, Townley said the time for planning is now.

Find the full story online. n

Whistler ‘managing well through change,’ mayor tells business leaders

THE ANNUAL ADDRESS TO THE WHISTLER CHAMBER HIGHLIGHTED WORKER HOUSING, INDIGENOUS PARTNERSHIPS AND MORE

BY LUKE FAULKS

HOUSING, INDIGENOUS reconciliation and economic uncertainty were among the key themes highlighted by Mayor Jack Crompton during his annual State of the Municipality address to Whistler’s business community.

Speaking at a Whistler Chamber of Commerce luncheon on March 6, Crompton told local business leaders the resort is navigating a period of rapid change— from shifting political dynamics and trade tensions to record summer visitation and evolving provincial policy—while continuing to grapple with long-standing housing and aging infrastructure pressures.

“This year, I want to say to you that the state of our municipality is managing well through change,” Crompton said. “A new president in the United States, a new prime minister in Ottawa, tariffs from our No. 1 trading partner, peak summer visitation like we have never ... and lots and lots of policy change at a provincial level.”

HOUSING REMAINS CENTRAL CHALLENGE

Housing remained the dominant policy issue throughout the mayor’s remarks and the question-and-answer session that followed.

Crompton highlighted a series of projects currently underway, including two employee-housing buildings nearing completion in Cheakamus Crossing.

“In the middle of August this year, we’ll see 1475 Mount Fee. And then later next year, we’ll see 1600 Mount Fee,” he said. “Those are 240 units of apartment housing rental for workers in your community.”

He pointed to the scale of municipal investment in housing over the past several years.

“Since 2018, when these two buildings are done, the Resort Municipality of Whistler (RMOW), Whistler Development Corporation and Whistler Housing Authority (WHA) will have constructed $350 million in housing,” he said during the Q&A session. “It’s enormous.”

But Crompton cautioned continued progress will depend on new funding approaches when government grants are not available.

“When there are grant funds available from other orders of government, we are building rental housing like we are right now,” he said. “That won’t always be the case. [We’re] going to have to come up with new and innovative ways to build housing when grant funding goes away.

“I would encourage the business community to put together some kind of program that answers the question for the municipality—what do you do when you don’t have grant money from outside?” he said.

At the same time, Crompton argued Whistler’s workforce housing model remains one of the resort’s biggest competitive advantages.

“The RMOW through the WHA houses 75 per cent of the workforce in the municipal boundaries of Whistler,” he said. “Aspen is at eight per cent, Vail is at 30. We are over 75.

“I think it’s important to note as a business owner that that is your primary competitive advantage—that the people who work for you live in this town and are Whistlerites themselves.”

Crompton also noted progress in addressing another concern frequently raised by local businesses: permitting delays.

He said applications that once took six to 12 months to process have improved significantly. The municipality is currently processing applications for single- and multi-family residential units, duplex homes, and heat pumps from the last three months, he told the audience.

INDIGENOUS PARTNERSHIPS EMPHASIZED

Crompton and Lil’wat Business Group CEO Rosemary Stager both emphasized the importance of Indigenous partnerships in the region’s future development.

Crompton praised collaboration between the municipality and Lil’wat Nation, particularly around the Tseqwtsúqum ’ development in Function Junction, and pushed back against broader fears around Indigenous land claims undermining private property rights.

“There is no reason to be afraid,” he said. “The Squamish and the Lil’wat are great partners, and it would do us well to pick up shovels to join them and to get to work building this place for the future.”

Stager urged businesses to move past what she described as misinformation and fear surrounding Indigenous land governance.

“There’s a lot of fear mongering with the land question and UNDRIP,” she said. “It doesn’t have to be a winlose. It can be a win-win. We can work together, and we need to stop this fear mongering and racism.”

She said the Lil’wat Business Group’s goal is to strengthen the nation’s economic presence while sharing cultural values.

“Taking our rightful place in the economy is our mission, but that doesn’t always mean money to us,” Stager said. “That means sharing our values, our spirituality, our culture and our connection to this land.” CLIMATE, INFRASTRUCTURE

Whistler taps two senior leaders for corporate services and finance roles

LIZZY AMBLER TO LEAD CORPORATE SERVICES AND PUBLIC SAFETY DIVISION WHILE LONGTIME RMOW FINANCE MANAGER ASHLEY PALMER MOVES INTO DIRECTOR ROLE

BY LUKE FAULKS

THE RESORT Municipality of Whistler has named two longtime public-sector professionals to key leadership positions within its senior management team.

Lizzy Ambler will join the municipality as general manager of corporate services and public safety, while Ashley Palmer has been appointed director of finance.

Mayor Jack Crompton said the appointments combine continuity within the organization with new perspectives from outside the municipal sector.

“These leaders present the best of both worlds,” Crompton said in a release. “Ashley’s presence will ensure consistency in our financial portfolio as she knows the systems and has demonstrated deep commitment to collaboration and problem-solving. And I am very excited to learn of the deep knowledge base Lizzy Ambler will bring.”

Ambler, a Whistler resident, brings more than two decades of senior publicsector experience, most recently serving as a clinical operations director with

Vancouver Coastal Health. In that role, she led complex portfolios, managed large budgets and guided teams through periods of operational change and growth.

In her new position, Ambler will oversee several core municipal functions, including Financial Services, Protective Services, Legislative Services, Whistler Fire Rescue Service and Information Technology. Protective Services also includes Bylaw Services and the municipality’s oversight relationship with the Whistler detachment of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.

Her division will also be responsible for programs such as FireSmart, emergency management planning and response as well as statutory governance responsibilities including record keeping, risk management and insurance.

Ted Battiston, the municipality’s acting chief administrative officer, said Ambler’s emphasis on collaboration and transparent systems stood out during the hiring process.

“The Corporate Services and Public Safety division is core to what we do as a municipality,” Battiston said. “It takes a steady hand, integrity and experience to oversee its responsibilities.”

In the same announcement, the municipality confirmed Palmer will step into the director of finance role. Palmer, currently the RMOW’s manager of finance, has a decade of municipal management experience and has held finance manager positions in both Abbotsford and Whistler.

A Chartered Professional Accountant, Palmer joined the RMOW in December 2020 and has worked closely with outgoing chief financial officer Carlee Price, who worked for the municipality

for seven years. The municipality described Palmer as a “calm leader” known for improving processes through interdepartmental collaboration.

The appointments come during a broader leadership transition at the municipality. Battiston was appointed acting chief administrative officer following the mid-January departure of former CAO Virginia Cullen and is expected to retire from the role once council completes its ongoing search for a permanent CAO. n

STATE OF THE MUNICIPALITY

acknowledged climate action remains a major challenge for the municipality.

While outlining a series of initiatives— from EV charger installations to wildfire preparedness—he conceded the community is falling short of its climate targets: “The headline is we are not hitting our targets, and we’re far from it.”

The mayor also touched on Whistler’s tourism economy and the need to reinvest in aging infrastructure as the resort approaches its sixth decade.

“Some of our buildings are starting

FROM PAGE 11

to look old,” he said. “We’re going to be thinking deeply about how we can draw more investment and ensure that we’re building a tourism sector for the future.”

Tourism diversification and longterm competitiveness will also depend on broader infrastructure decisions, he added, including discussions about the future of rail service along the Sea to Sky corridor following CN’s plan to relinquish its lease north of Squamish.

“We want to be in the room when that decision is made,” Crompton said. n

Kids on crazy carpets.

Grownups playing pond hockey. Olympians, Paralympians, and everyone chasing fresh tracks. Ski resorts. Outdoor brands. Retailers.

It’s not just mountain towns. It’s dairy farmers and grain growers. Forestry crews and maple syrup makers. Wineries. Craft brewers.

Hydro generators keeping Canada lit. Glaciers and the water they become.

Canada runs on winter. So does nature.

Vail Resorts shares fall as weak snowfall hits quarterly results

LATE ROCKY MOUNTAIN SNOWS DROVE DOUBLE-DIGIT DROP IN SKIER VISITS, WHILE ADVANCE EPIC PASS SALES HELPED GOOSE LIFT REVENUE

BY LUKE FAULKS

VAIL RESORTS reported weaker winter financial results on Monday, March 9 and lowered its fiscal 2026 outlook, citing historically poor snowfall across parts of the Rocky Mountains—even as its advance pass sales helped stabilize lift revenue.

The Colorado-based resort operator, which owns Whistler Blackcomb, posted second-quarter net income of $210 million for the period ending Jan. 31, down from $244.4 million the year before. Resort-reported earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) fell to $421.3 million from $459.7 million, the company said.

Ahead of the earnings announcement, shares of Vail Resorts fell roughly 3.2 per cent in trading, reflecting investor concerns about snowfall conditions and the broader outlook for the ski season.

In a release, Vail Resorts CEO Rob Katz pointed to unusually poor weather in key U.S. markets as the biggest factor affecting performance.

“This has been the most challenging winter across the Rockies that we have ever experienced with the lowest snowfall levels in more than 30 years for our

Colorado and Utah resorts,” Katz said, adding that reduced terrain availability and warm temperatures weighed on visitation through the quarter.

Despite the conditions, lift revenue declined by a relatively modest 2.9 per cent, even though skier visits dropped 13 per cent, thanks largely to strong advance sales of season passes.

Across Vail Resorts’ North American mountains—including Whistler Blackcomb—season-to-date skier visits were down 11.9 per cent through March 1 compared with the previous winter, while lift revenue slipped 3.6 per cent. Ski school revenue fell 8.2 per cent, dining dropped 8.6 per cent, and retail and rental revenue declined 5.7 per cent.

The company said the performance underscores the importance of its “advance commitment strategy,” built around the Epic Pass and other prepaid products that lock in revenue before the ski season begins.

Pass sales for the 2025-26 winter were up three per cent heading into the season, helping offset lower visitation caused by weather disruptions.

Moving forward, the company is experimenting with new pricing aimed at bringing younger skiers into the sport. Earlier this month, Vail Resorts announced that skiers and snowboarders

aged 13 to 30 will receive a 20-per-cent discount on 2026-27 Epic Pass products.

The move could save younger riders up to US$220, with the Epic Pass starting at US$869 and the Epic Local Pass at US$649 under the program.

“The future of the sport depends on the next generation of skiers and riders, and it is our responsibility to create a more accessible pathway for them well into young adulthood,” Katz said when the initiative was announced.

Epic Pass products provide seasonlong access to dozens of resorts worldwide, including Whistler Blackcomb, Vail Mountain, Park City Mountain and Breckenridge. The company has also revived its Epic Friend Tickets program, which gives passholders discounted lift tickets they can share with friends or family.

Still, the company trimmed its financial outlook for the year. Vail Resorts now expects fiscal 2026 net income of between $144 million and $190 million, alongside resort EBITDA of $745 million to $775 million.

The company said the revised guidance assumes conditions for the remainder of the North American ski season remain consistent with current trends.

The results highlight a growing challenge facing the global ski industry: increasingly volatile winter weather.

While snowfall in parts of the Pacific Northwest and Western Canada—including Whistler—has been more variable year-toyear than the drought-affected Rockies this season, climate variability and warming temperatures are becoming a larger operational risk for resorts.

The results also come as ski resorts in British Columbia prepare for a potential operational shift in coming seasons. With the province ending seasonal clock changes in favour of permanent daylight saving time, winter mornings could become darker on the clock.

Asked about the possible impact at Whistler Blackcomb, Vail Resorts spokesperson Dane Gergovich told Pique the company is still assessing its plans.

“Our mountain operations teams are currently reviewing our operational plan, and we do not have additional details to share at this time,” Gergovich said. “We will provide updates as soon as more information becomes available.”

Despite the weaker results, Vail Resorts emphasized that its balance sheet remains strong, with about $1.1 billion in total liquidity as of Jan. 31. The company also declared a quarterly dividend of $2.22 per share and reaffirmed plans to invest roughly $215 million to $220 million in core capital projects in 2026. n

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Itis with anoceanof tearsanda brokenheart that willneverheal thatI announcethepassingof my bestfriend and wifeofalmost50 years.Heather Peeblespassed away on February 20, 2026,justshyofher66th birthday.

Born February 24,1960,in Rossland, Heather’slife centeredonherlove of the environment andherdevotion to herfamily.Shepassedin Trailaftera courag eousbattle withcancer,leavingalegacy of warmth cherished by all whoknew her.

Heather was thelovingwifeof Rob. She wasadevoted motherto Kylee (Rob), Robert (K aylee),andSarah (Evan). Herjoy multiplied withthearrivalofher grandchildrenOdin,Maya, Ayton,and Ryan- whobecame the centreof her world.

Herradiantsmile wasafixturein Rossland. Fromherearly daysatthe RedMountaindiningroomin1976 to herfinal roleatthe Rosslandthriftshop,hersmile wasconstant.Her passionforserviceextendedthrough Whistlerbusinesses whereshe waseagertolendahelpinghand.

AdevoutChristian,Heatherlivedherfaiththrough gentle actions.Sherefused to squishinsectsorpull weeds, often saying,“Ifit’s alive, ithasapurposeand getsto live out itslife.”

An avidspor tswoman,sherelished skiing,biking, volleyball,and fieldhockey. Her green thumb wasevident inher garden andbeehives.Shelived by themantra:“Live each day to itsfullest,as tomorrowsnotpromised for anyone.”

Heather willberemembered asa woman who gave endlesslyandloved wholeheartedly.

AMemorialService willbeheldonSaturday,April4,2026, at1:00pmatKnox United Church, Trail.Donationsmay bemade totheBCSPCA.Condolences maybeshared at www.clarksfuneral.ca

Pemberton council hears potential for regional management of North Vancouver to Prince George railway ahead of potential shutdown

CN RAIL PLANS TO DECOMMISSION A SECTION OF ITS RAILWAY, FROM SQUAMISH TO 100 MILE HOUSE, THIS SUMMER

BY HILARY ANGUS

THE NORTHERN Development Initiative Trust has outlined a potential path to regional management of the Sea to Sky to Prince George rail corridor, ahead of a looming shutdown.

The plan would see a section of track, from North Vancouver to Prince George, operated by short-haul operators with significant First Nations involvement, ownership, or management.

The plan also includes a feasibility study on the potential for a West Vancouver-to-Lillooet bikeway which would run alongside or near the tracks.

KEEPING THE TIES IN THE GROUND

The Northern Development Initiative Trust, a Prince George-based community development non-profit, was asked by several local governments to undertake a consulting project to explore the potential for regional management of the track after Canadian National Railway (CN) announced plans to decommission a section of it last July.

In recent months, several regional leaders have pressed the province and the federal government for a resolution to the potential shutdown of the tracks, as when the lease runs out in July, the tracks could be scrapped and sold for salvage value.

Peter Scholz, a planner with the Northern Development Initiative Trust who is leading the consultation, presented a summary of his work so far to the Village of Pemberton’s Committee of the Whole on March 3.

Scholz said there has been strong interest from local governments along the corridor in maintaining the track and enhancing both freight and passenger service.

Though he said there is still a “nonzero possibility” that the track could be removed and sold for scrap, discussions about maintaining it have been “coming along quite well.”

“I don’t think there’s many parties that consider it politically palatable or economically reasonable to remove the track,” Scholz said.

FROM DUOPOLY TO SHORT HAUL

The map of railways tells the story of Western Canada over the past 40 years, Scholz said.

Forty-odd years ago, there was much more industrialization and its distribution tended to be more scattered,

so it made sense for the two primary railways, Canadian Pacific Railway and CN, to effectively run a duopoly because it made financial sense to have wide distribution and many spur lines—short, secondary tracks that branch off from a main line.

As the Canadian economy significantly de-industrialized over the past 20 years and the market overwhelmingly shifted to importexport, Scholz said, the two railway operators were financially incentivized to re-focus on large, fast-moving trains from ports to inland distribution centres.

“In the process of that transition, small and medium enterprises got caught a bit in the lurch,” Scholz said.

Scholz said the government of Saskatchewan, in particular, handled this transition well. CN and CP were allowed to cease operations on spur lines, but not allowed to remove them.

Farmers then got together to buy the rights to the track, pick up an old locomotive at auction, and start driving their own trains.

“Twenty years later, there’s about 12 to 15 short-haul operators in Saskatchewan, each one focused on a particular line, and they are actually doing quite well,” Scholz said.

Scholz said the purpose of the North Vancouver to Prince George project, “in a nutshell,” was to reach out to some

of these short-haul operators who do franchise operations to see if they’d be interested in operating the section of B.C. track in question.

“We have a definite yes from one, and they are now in communication with CN Rail for some sort of arrangement where they can operate track,” Scholz said.

In addition to finding a credible railway investment partner to operate the track, Scholz said they’re actively seeking support from the First Nations along the rail route for potential co-ownership or co-governance of the track.

Of the 24 nations, Scholz said they so far have letters of interest from three, but have not yet presented to the Squamish of Lil’wat Nations.

Finally, in order to emphasize the strategic and economic importance of the railway, Scholz has been exploring the potential for a West Vancouver to Lillooet bikeway that would follow the railway’s path, enabling cyclists to bike one direction and return by train.

This would tap into the Lower Mainland’s booming recreation and tourism sector to increase passenger demand on the rail service, Scholz said.

Though there are a few sections, specifically near Porteau Cove and Seton Lake, which would present significant challenges to a potential bikeway, Scholz said he otherwise found the route “surprisingly easy.” n

ExpressionofInterest:Spel’kúmtnCommunityForestBoard

TheVillageofPembertonisseekingone(1)communitymembertoserveasa DirectorontheSpel’kúmtnCommunityForest(SCF)Board,beginningJune 2026.

TheSCFis apartnershipbetweentheLil’watNationandtheVillageof Pembertondesignedtopromotereconciliation,providecommunitybenefitsfrom localresources,andensurelocalvoiceinforeststewardship.Themissionofthe SCFistooperate asafe,profitable,andsustainablecommunityforest,managed forenvironmental,social,andeconomicvalueswhileconsideringtheinterestsof memberandneighbouringcommunities.

AbouttheRole

TheBoardiscomposedofsixDirectors,withthreeappointedbyLil’watNation andthreebytheVillageofPemberton.Itis avolunteergoverningbody,and DirectorsareexpectedtoparticipateinmonthlyBoardmeetings.

WhoWe’reLookingFor

Applicantsshouldbecommunitymindedwithexperienceinareassuchas business,finance,leadership,governance,policy,communications,Indigenous relations,orforestry.Skillsinfinancialmanagement,analyticaldecisionmaking, andcollaborativeleadershipareespeciallyvalued.Eligibilityrequirementsapply. Reviewthefulldescriptionatwww.pemberton.ca/careers

TimeCommitment

Monthlymeetingsplusreading,preparation,andoccasionaladditionalsessions.

HowtoApply

Pleasesubmit:

•A briefexpressionofinterestoutliningyourbackground,skills,andmotivation

•A résuméorsummaryofrelevantexperience

Deadline: Wednesday,April1,2026

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March is still for skiing

IN ANY GIVEN YEAR , it’s usually March that picks up the slack of the winter season. November and December are officially early-season gambles. January could go either way these days. February usually signals a recalibration of some sort. April can yield surprisingly good conditions, but the spring heat starts to

BY VINCE SHULEY

mess with the snow quality more than usual. But March? March is when it’s on.

Of course, no one can predict exactly when the conditions will be the best. March can rain. March can bring drought. March can nuke. But when you’ve had three months of seasonal highs and lows, March gives us the best chance of a deep and (hopefully) stable snowpack, and days long enough to do some really big missions in the mountains.

To give the March argument some credibility, I’ll harken back to my first season in 2004-05. This was the true year of rain, the year of a strange mid-

winter summer spell and the year when so many locals were about to give up on the season. “March normally doesn’t let us down,” a local ski-school parent told me on yet another soaking wet February Saturday. I didn’t know what Whistler was capable of yet. The rain and dirt of that 2004-05 season were all I had experienced and Whistler Blackcomb’s (WB) Olympic snowmaking investment was still a few years away.

The March days ticked by, and some workers in WB staff housing even pulled the plug early to head home or find somewhere else to travel. Then, in the midst of the worst snow season in almost 30 years, around the time everyone’s St. Patrick’s Day hangovers expired, the

know the rest.

In subsequent years, there’s rarely been a March when I haven’t skied some of the best conditions of the season. In 2017, I managed to ski Fissile, the Pencil Chute on Mount Currie, a bunch of other ski lines and even placed a respectable spot in Eric Carter’s darkside skimo race, all in the same March week. Admittedly, I had a more flexible schedule back then, but when the surf’s up, you get after it. And the surf is usually up sometime in March.

It’s been almost five years since I wrote “March is for Skiing” in this space and I stand by it. Though I should clarify that by “skiing” I mean any winter mountain sport such as snowboarding,

In subsequent years, there’s rarely been a March when I haven’t skied some of the best conditions of the season.

spell broke. I remember seeing fat flakes to the valley bottom for almost two weeks straight. It was too late to save the season in most people’s books, but I’ll never forget how March came through in the end. Those two weeks of storms were likely why I returned to Whistler the following season, and the next… You

sledding or otherwise. Though “March is for wintersports” doesn’t quite have the same ring to it.

The point is, winter is feeling increasingly rare these days, and this on-again-off-again season has been no exception. While I firmly believe March skiing isn’t going anywhere, it

does feel like the month’s reliability for real winter is slowly and surely slipping away. What can we do about it? Not a lot, except to keep skiing like it was the last March before the world eats itself.

This is the month when you tick off your favourite lines in the WB tenure, if you haven’t already. The world’s best ski terrain may be busy and crowded on a pow day, but it’s still the world’s best ski terrain. Get up early, line up early and send it.

This is the month when the stars of backcountry objectives can line up perfectly. Have your routes planned and your crew ready to go. Just be ready to back off if it doesn’t feel right on the day. There will be another March, and skiers need to feel good about their attempts at complicated objectives, not just completing them.

This is the month when overnight weather can surprise you, rewarding those who commit and leaving the undecided scrambling to catch up the next morning. Monitor the precipitation, temperatures and wind, as you always do. But don’t be afraid to take a risk if it doesn’t look like a sure thing. Sometimes you need to bet big to win big.

Enjoy your March skiing. You’ve earned it.

Vince Shuley is excited about the current weather forecast. For questions, comments or suggestions for The Outsider, email vince.shuley@gmail.com or Instagram @ whis_vince. n

Live long and prosper with exercise

ON MARCH 24, I’ll complete my 90th ride around the sun. I’m often asked to what I owe my longevity. I usually joke, “I chose my parents carefully.” As a geneticist, I know the genetic lottery plays a part.

I once interviewed a Toronto doctor who continued to treat patients after he turned 100. I asked what he owed his longevity to. “Porridge,” he replied. “I eat it every day.” He was serious, but his belief was anecdotal and proved nothing.

never felt it was terrible. It was physical activity. There weren’t gyms or fitness programs; we just moved.

After my family relocated to London, Ontario, I got a job in construction, shovelling gravel, carrying lumber, hammering and sawing to build houses. It was hard work but I loved it. I was buff.

The scientifically documented key to a healthy long life is exercise. Studies show it reduces the risk of a wide array

BY DAVID SUZUKI

of conditions associated with old age, from diabetes, obesity and cancer to Alzheimer’s, stroke and heart disease. No drug, diet or treatment can match the spectrum or degree of reduced risk

Like the doctor’s porridge, my personal record with exercise is anecdotal. Nevertheless, it’s been a critical part of my life and health, and science corroborates its benefits (as well as porridge’s benefits). I never set out to deliberately avoid medical issues from aging by exercising. I lucked out because of life circumstances.

The Second World War enabled racists and opportunists to goad Parliament to brand Japanese Canadians as “enemy aliens”—including those like my parents, sisters and me who were born and raised

I continued to work in construction on weekends, holidays and summers until I graduated from college in 1958. That year, I got a job as a fish biologist in northern Ontario. I later enrolled in graduate school in genetics and chose to study the fruit fly, Drosophila.

We’d spend a lot of time looking through microscopes—much different than shovelling gravel or hammering studs. I became rather pudgy. But it didn’t bother me—the excitement of research with my students was exhilarating.

At 35, I met my life partner, Tara, who’s still with me after 53 years. She was 12 years younger than me. A year after our marriage, I was flying from San Francisco to Toronto with a flight change at Chicago’s massive O’Hare International Airport. I landed at one end of the terminal. Air Canada was at the other end. With half an hour to make my connection, I grabbed my bag and began to sprint. Halfway to the concourse, I was doubled over, gasping and exhausted. I missed my flight.

It was an epiphany. I decided to enrol in a faculty exercise class.

At first, I mainly jogged, and was discouraged by how out of shape I was. When I met Tara, I smoked cigarettes, drank alcohol and didn’t pay attention to my diet. When I began to attend fitness class, I couldn’t even complete a track

It was hard labour, but I never felt it was terrible. It was physical activity. There weren’t gyms or fitness programs; we just moved.

in Canada and had never even been to Japan. All our citizenship rights were suspended under the War Measures Act.

As the war ended, British Columbia saw an opportunity to eliminate part of the “yellow peril” by offering a choice to those incarcerated in camps: renounce citizenship for a one-way ticket to Japan or move east of the Rocky Mountains. My family had no choice because Japan was a foreign country and my sisters and I couldn’t speak Japanese.

In 1945, we ended up on a farm in southern Ontario. We kids picked berries and harvested vegetables to supplement the family’s meagre income. Farm work started at 7 a.m. At noon we took half an hour for lunch, then worked till 6, six days a week. It was hard labour, but I

circuit without stopping. But I stuck with it and, over weeks, my body responded.

For years, I was into running. After decades of working out, I actually got down to my high school weight, although gravity, stretched skin and old age have reshaped me.

Today, elders are the fastest growing group in society. They should be recognized and valued for what they’ve experienced and witnessed. And governments should subsidize fitness programs and centres to help elders move their bodies.

David Suzuki is a scientist, broadcaster, author and co-founder of the David Suzuki Foundation.

Learn more at davidsuzuki.org. n

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CHANGING HANDS, ENDURING LEGACY

SIXTY YEARS ON WHISTLER BLACKCOMB

The Vail Resorts decade has brought substantial infrastructure investment and integration into a global resort network. It has also fundamentally transformed how the mountains are shaped. As the resort enters its seventh decade, former executives reveal what has changed, and what is at stake.

BY CAROLINE EGAN

FEW SKI RESORTS

Blackcomb and fewer still have emerged from each transition more defined, not less. Legacy is a word that gets borrowed easily in the ski industry, but at Whistler Blackcomb it means something harder to manufacture.

From its scrappy origins with the Garibaldi Olympic Development Association to the Intrawest era that reimagined the village, all the way to Vail Resorts’ global stewardship today, the mountain has outlasted every owner’s vision by becoming something bigger than any of them. A living institution, 60 years in the making. Not formed by boardrooms but by the people who showed up season after season long before Epic Passes and apps, even before the village was lit.

WHERE DO LEGACIES COME FROM?

THE ANNIVERSARY INVITES

on what has made the resort exceptional in the first place. From the opening day on Whistler, Jan. 15, 1966, when roughly 300 people drove up a single-lane gravel road to reach a mountain with no grooming equipment, no indoor toilets at the Roundhouse and a gondola run nicknamed “the sewer” by locals. The resort’s persistent rise was built on fierce competition, customer service obsession and leaders who lived in the community they served.

Hugh Smythe, local legend and pivotal leader in the resort’s development, was there that opening day on Whistler working as a volunteer ski patroller. He would go on to build Blackcomb Mountain from the ground up through what he describes as “impossible economic conditions,” and eventually serve as president of the merged Whistler Blackcomb. He remembers the early days being defined by a rivalry between the two mountains. Each had everything to prove and fostered a culture where no task was beneath the people at the top.

“If you needed to help clean the washrooms or bus the tables or help in the lift lines to make the guest experience better on any given day, that’s what you did,” Symthe says.

The audacity of that competitive era is captured in a story Smythe tells about the Seventh Heaven T-bar—the lift that transformed Blackcomb. Recognizing the mountain needed a game-changer, Smythe learned of an underutilized T-bar sitting idle at another operation in Alberta. Moving it required discretion. The equipment quietly disappeared from Alberta and arrived at

“If you needed to help clean the washrooms or bus the tables or help in the lift lines to make the guest experience better on any given day, that’s what you did. - Hugh Smythe

“

DAVE BROWNLIE

“Employees could participate directly in Whistler Blackcomb. The community could be a part of it. People could buy shares directly. That was a pretty energizing time, and I think we were able to create some really unique experiences and results.” - Dave Brownlie

“I used to watch, even when I was living in the U.S., how there seemed to be stress between the community and the mountain resort at Vail. Their style of doing things has been problematic from time to time. So when we asked how we could get an advantage, that was one of the things we identified.”

That community-first model deepened all the way through Whistler Blackcomb Holdings’ five years as a standalone public company from 2010 to 2016. Dave Brownlie, who served as CEO during that period and oversaw the first year of Vail Resorts integration, describes it as an energizing chapter.

“Employees could participate directly in Whistler Blackcomb. The community could be a part of it. People could buy shares directly. That was a pretty energizing time, and I think we were able to create some really unique experiences and results,” Brownlie says.

In April 1999, Whistler Blackcomb recorded its two-millionth skier visit. The community that had welcomed 300 people on opening day had become the most visited ski resort in North America. Unfortunately, Brownlie reflects, perhaps they were “too prominent.”

Then came October 2016.

INVESTMENTS THAT WERE MADE

VAIL RESORTS’ CAPITAL COMMITMENTS since the $1.4-billion acquisition are substantial. Since then, it has replaced and/or upgraded major lift infrastructure including the Blackcomb Gondola, Big Red Express, Creekside Gondola, Fitzsimmons Express and Jersey Cream Express. Plans to replace the Showcase T-bar with a fixedgrip quad to restore glacier access are pending approvals.

“Vail has had some significant infrastructure investments in lifts,” Forseth acknowledges. “That’s been a benefit to the mountains and to those who use them. That’s a big commitment, and they’ve done well in that area.”

Investments which have been publicly announced appear to total hundreds of millions of dollars, though Vail Resorts declined to provide specific figures. Shortly afterwards, however, the company announced it plans to invest roughly $299 million in core capital throughout its portfolio of resorts.

Other investments under Vail Resorts’ reign so far have addressed critical bottlenecks and aging systems. Smythe, who oversaw decades of capital planning at the resort, recognizes the scale. “These big lifts coming out of base are over $50 million,” he notes. “That’s the same cost that Peak 2 Peak was.” He estimates Vail Resorts’ total infrastructure investment across its tenure at roughly “a couple hundred million.”

Yet the 60th anniversary prompts a deeper question. Has investment alone maintained what made Whistler Blackcomb special? “There’s been some lifts put in,” Brownlie says carefully, “but I don’t see anything done physically to the experience that has taken it beyond where it was. And there’s still so much opportunity.”

THE CENTRALIZATION CHALLENGE

BROWNLIE KNOWS WHISTLER BLACKCOMB operations intimately. After 29 years with the resort, rising from director of finance to CEO, he left in mid2017. About a year after the Vail Resorts acquisition. He now serves as president of independently owned Revelstoke Mountain Resort, part of the competing Ikon Pass program.

His perspective on the transition is measured but clear. “Integrating into the Vail system didn’t happen in Year 1. It took a couple of years to move everything,” he says. “The technology platform, how decisions are made, who is responsible for what. That was change and that’s challenging for people.” In his final year at Whistler Blackcomb through the transition, he says, the resort ran “more autonomous than it certainly is today.”

The shift from local to centralized decision-making represents perhaps the most significant operational change in the resort’s 60-year history. Where Whistler Blackcomb Holdings operated autonomously with its own board—directors who could be found at the same grocery stores as the guests they served—Vail Resorts runs a centralized model from its Colorado headquarters serving 42 resorts worldwide.

“Most everything of any significant decision goes through Colorado,” Forseth explains. “Their approach of ‘we need to do it the same in all of our resorts’ is a hindrance sometimes to being empathetic to individual situations. That’s holding them back from having the full support of the community, customers and staff. You see that in the letters to the [Pique] editor.”

Previous leadership structures kept decisionmakers physically embedded in the community. They attended municipal meetings, maintained direct relationships with the Squamish and Lil’wat Nations on whose traditional territory the resort operates and negotiated challenges across a table rather than across borders. Brownlie’s team spent years building toward the Master Development Agreement renewal with the province. Work that was finally completed shortly after the Vail Resorts acquisition.

“When we had people leading a resort, living in the resort here every day and making the decisions, you just get stronger collaboration at a grassroots level,” Brownlie says. “With a bigger organization, there’s

more levels and approvals and processes to go through. It seems to be harder to get decisions in a timely manner that align with where the community is going or wants to get done. I don’t know how you change that when you’ve got a huge entity with 40-some resorts. That’s their choice of how they want to operate.”

EPIC PASS TRANSFORMATION

THE EPIC PASS HAS FUNDAMENTALLY ALTERED Whistler Blackcomb’s business model. The pass provides access to Vail Resorts’ entire portfolio at prices significantly lower than traditional season passes, attracting guests but changing the economics of day access.

“The pros are the pricing and access. It brings out much more people committed to skiing and snowboarding, which is good,” Brownlie comments. The Ikon Pass, a model he works with now, has a similar design as the Epic Pass. “The cons are, if you’re not prepared to buy a pass it’s a challenge to go skiing at an Epic resort because of the price of the day ticket.”

The model creates operational pressures around capacity management. Christmas week this season saw congested runs prompting social media commentary about green runs becoming “double blacks” due to crowding. Questions persist about balancing Epic Pass holders, day ticket purchasers paying premium prices and locals seeking access to their own backyard.

“You have to think about optimum capacity for both the business and guests,” Brownlie notes. “Some people would argue maybe passes should be more expensive, and the experience on busy days wouldn’t be as crazy, but that’s a business decision.”

Smythe adds nuance to the pricing conversation. He notes season pass prices have actually dropped significantly under Vail Resorts’ model. What was roughly $1,600 before is now closer to $800 for an equivalent product. The $300 walk-up day ticket that generates public outrage appears as a way of driving advance commitment rather than a price most guests actually pay. “If you’re somebody going to ski more than 10 days, having a season’s pass certainly pencils out,” he says.

THE VALUE OF GRASSROOTS WORK

DURING THE RESORT’S 60-YEAR EVOLUTION, community relationships were considered mission-critical. Forseth helped establish the “One Whistler” initiative in the late 1990s alongside then-municipal Chief Administrative Officer Jim Godfrey and Brownlie, with an outside facilitator brought in to define complementary roles for the municipality, the tourism organization and the resort. Also, to stop them from duplicating or undercutting each other at ski shows and tourism events around the world.

“We respected each other and didn’t betray those relationships,” Forseth says. “The trust built deeper the longer we went… we could coordinate and have an advantage.”

That advantage, built painstakingly over years, appears to have eroded under centralized ownership. Forseth is direct about what has been lost.

“There’s been a loss of the relationships,” he said. “Whether it’s locals to the mountain, the municipality with the mountain, or the mountain with the municipality.”

Brownlie echoes the sentiment and goes further. Asked at the close of his interview whether there was anything he most wanted on the record, he paused before answering. “I would like to see more of a Canadian, homegrown feeling and decision making around such a prominent asset for our province and country.”

Resort MunicipalityofWhistler

Liquid WasteManagement Planupdate

TheResortMunicipalityofWhistlerisupdatingitsLiquid WasteManagement Plan(LWMP)toincludetheestimatedcostandscheduleforaplanned Wastewater TreatmentPlant Tertiary Filtrationupgrade.Thisupgradewas previouslyidentifiedintheLWMPasafuturerequirement.Theproposed updateaddstheestimatedconstructioncostof$14.2milliontotheLWMP.

The Tertiary Filtrationupgradeisnecessarytoimprovethequalityoftreated wastewaterdischargedtotheCheakamusRiverandcomplywithmunicipal wastewaterregulations.

Iftheprojectproceeds,theRMOWisprojectingtoincreasesewerratesbyan additionalonepercentin2027.Constructionistargetedfor2027to2028.

Avirtualpublicmeetingwillbeheldon Wednesday,April1,2026,from 6–7p.m. topresenttheprojectupdateandgathercommunityfeedback. Meetingdetailsatengage.whistler.ca.

Ifyouhavequestionsinadvanceofthemeeting, pleaseemailprojects@ whistler.ca.

ResortMunicipalityofWhistler whistler.ca

AS PATTERNS CHANGE

CLIMATE CHANGE LOOMS as perhaps the most significant operational challenge on the horizon. The Horstman Glacier has receded roughly 100 feet of ice depth in some areas. The Horstman T-bar then had to be removed entirely as the ice recession made the area too steep to operate safely. The Showcase T-bar sat unused for four years due to insufficient snow.

“Anybody who thinks climate change isn’t happening is a fool,” Forseth says. “Look at the glaciers. Whistler Bowl glacier, almost gone. The T-bar situation on Blackcomb—it’s a disaster.”

The impacts extend beyond glacial recession. Atmospheric rivers are happening more and more. Early-season snowfall has become less dependable at lower elevations. This past pre-Christmas period saw hour-long download waits as bare lower elevations forced guests onto lift systems not designed to handle that volume in reverse. “You can have a great day skiing up above,” Forseth says, “and then it gets tainted by the download at the end.”

PETER ALDER AND HUGH SMYTHE

Brownlie sees high-alpine access as the critical frontier. During his tenure, the resort began testing snowmaking on the Horstman Glacier to counteract recession— work that was subsequently stopped. He points to automated avalanche control systems now being deployed at European resorts as a tool that would speed the safe opening of alpine terrain each morning. “As you look at climate change and global warming, how do you open the high alpine quicker and safer? That’s something I would be focused on for Whistler Blackcomb’s future,” he said.

Smythe calls for terrain expansion as well as infrastructure adaptation. “I’d like to see more trails, more skiing, more development up on the mountain to reduce some of the crowding on bigger days,” he says. He outlines terrain between the Emerald and Harmony areas as a natural candidate for new lift access. The coming Showcase T-bar replacement, he adds, is a meaningful step in restoring what the glaciers have been slowly taking back.

Whistler Blackcomb has been a benchmark for sustainability efforts within resorts, and senior communications manager, Dane Gergovich, underlined Vail Resorts’ goal of net operating zero by 2030 with more than $10 million invested in energy-saving projects across its network since 2018. At Whistler Blackcomb, this includes diverting 90 per cent of restaurant waste, electrifying portions of the fleet and implementing smart building technology. Gergovich also mentioned the company is aware of the issue and is prioritizing its snowmaking efforts.

Although Vail Resorts is closely watching changing weather and receding glaciers, the fundamental alpine access challenge remains unsolved.

A NEW ERA UNFOLDING

PERSISTENT RUMOURS SUGGEST VAIL RESORTS MIGHT SELL the operation or divest its Canadian properties. The speculation reflects broader uncertainty about long-term corporate commitment to a resort that operates under different regulatory, climatic and cultural conditions than Vail’s American holdings.

Gergovich handled media inquiries for this story, but was unable to provide several pieces of requested data. This included cumulative capital investment figures specific to Whistler Blackcomb.

Gergovich emphasized Vail Resorts’ public position remains as Whistler Blackcomb being a cornerstone of the portfolio. The company recognizes the resort’s position as North America’s largest ski resort, its strong year-round offerings and its strategic value within the Epic Pass network. The company did not specify timeframes for long-term commitment or address why rumours continue despite those statements.

The question that still lingers isn’t whether Vail Resorts has invested in infrastructure. It’s whether centralized corporate ownership can (and is willing to) preserve what made Whistler Blackcomb exceptional. A culture of service, innovation and community connection built by leaders who lived here, decided here and served here.

Brownlie, who handed Vail the keys and has watched from a distance since, puts it plainly. “I want to come across as positive. [Vail has] got a great asset, a great community, and [they’ll] continue to do well,” he says. “But [they] need to reinvest. Employee housing, snowmaking, high alpine access.” When it comes to how a mountain town can thrive, Brownlie underlines his point. “We need to continually challenge ourselves to get better.”

Forseth sees the anniversary as an inflection point, not a finish line. “I hope Whistler Blackcomb hasn’t become a has-been,” he says. “It’s got a lot to offer. A huge natural resource. The community has a spirit and a can-do attitude. The right thing comes up, I can see them doing something great again.” His feedback is constructive, not malicious. He takes a thoughtful pause and laughs, “I hope they don’t run me out of town after they read this.”

Smythe remains pragmatic. “Vail has invested significantly. These lifts cost 40-percent more than six years ago. You’ve got to appreciate that financial horsepower,” he says. But he too sees the work ahead clearly. The terrain still to be unlocked, the glaciers still receding, the capacity pressures still building.

I want to come across as positive. [Vail has] got a great asset, a great community, and [they’ll] continue to do well. But [they] need to reinvest. Employee housing, snowmaking, high alpine access. We need to continually challenge ourselves to get better.” - Dave Brownlie

These past 60 years of Whistler Blackcomb accolades are, without question, secured in history. As for the next 60 years, will we see centralized corporate ownership steward this Canadian icon with the same commitment to excellence, innovation and community?

The transformed “gravel road to a glacier”—now one of North America’s top mountain resorts—seems like it still has more to offer.

“Whistler Blackcomb is an amazing place. A wonderful natural asset and a major attraction for British Columbia and Canada,” Brownlie closes. “The stewards of that asset really need to take care of it for the long term, for all Canadians, all British Columbians, because it’s [undeniably] important.” n

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Whistler Nordics, Whistler Museum reveal crosscountry ski exhibit at Lost Lake PassivHaus

THE PROJECT TELLS THE HISTORY OF NORDIC SKIING IN THE SEA TO SKY

BY DAVID SONG

VISITORS TO THE Lost Lake PassivHaus will see a brand-new installation on its upper floor.

The panels, first unveiled on March 5, convey the history of cross-country skiing in the Sea to Sky area using both photographs and concise descriptions.

Whistler Nordics president Dan Wilson realized at one point that nobody had ever assembled an official story of his club’s past. He got in touch with Brad Nichols, executive director and curator for the Whistler Museum, to organize a speaker series event about local crosscountry skiing. That session happened in early 2024, also at the PassivHaus, and became a catalyst for research needed to prepare the current exhibit.

Bolstered by funding from the Whistler Blackcomb Foundation, Nichols and his staff scoured museum archives for 12 months in search of relevant information, from old photos to Alta Lake Sports Club (ALSC) newsletters from the 1970s. They also cooperated with the Nordics to track down oral histories from knowledgeable individuals.

Next came the unenviable task of paring down a wealth of research and

BY DAN WILSON

transforming it into something that would fit on four panels.

“That’s always the thing when you want to make something approachable,” Nichols said. “You kind of want to distil it down to [the core] narrative or story that you’re trying to put forward, [asking yourself]: what will people gather out of that? Obviously you can’t fit every single bit of information, but we tried to get the broad strokes of cross-country skiing in the Whistler Valley.”

Regarding the use of oral history, Nichols added: “People can add a little bit

Partners,” “Growing the Sport, Together” and “The International Stage.”

The ALSC was founded in 1975 to facilitate collaboration between local skiers and the establishment of groomed trails. Its events grew larger with time, attracting visitors from across British Columbia at roughly the same time the Resort Municipality of Whistler adopted a more hands-on role in parks planning. The Lost Lake region became officially known as a community park in 1982, and two years later the Nordics were founded.

That development paved a way

“What we have here today is a result of thousands and thousands of hours of volunteer work...”

- DAN WILSON

more [to textual research]. I might have something that says: ‘these people were executives of the Alta Lake Sports Club,’ but someone can add a bit more depth so you can understand those relationships and who was making trends. We know that there were coaches, but which coaches were really making a large impact?”

‘WHISTLER’S EVOLUTION OF CROSS-COUNTRY SKIING’

The PassivHaus installation’s panels are titled, respectively: “Before the tracks were set,” “Grooming, Fees and New

for various key undertakings like the kids’ Jackrabbits ski program, Cheryl Morningstar Lost Lake Loppet, 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Games, and beyond. Whistler hosted the FIS Nordic Junior World Ski Championships three years ago. Its cross-country community threw its support behind local athletes Benita Peiffer and Joe Davies, who both saw action at the recent 2026 Milano Cortina Olympics.

“[The exhibit] certainly does cover Whistler’s evolution of cross-country skiing,” Wilson remarked. “What we

have here today is a result of thousands and thousands of hours of volunteer work, different types of organizations like private, non-profit and municipal government, working together to create the experience.

“Really the last major chunk of the story before contemporary days was the international stage for Nordic skiing … in Whistler with the Olympics, athletes growing out of Whistler and ending up on the international stage, and of course the international visitors that Whistler attracts.”

Early reception to the PassivHaus exhibit has been positive, with many Nordics members “blown away” by the story of the ALSC: volunteers who put in tremendous effort and time to build trails. Nichols reports that some former ALSC members have given the information their approval.

Wilson himself learned plenty about his club’s partnership with the Whistler Adaptive Sports Program to bring cross-country skiing to special needs participants.

“I think [the PassivHaus] is a great venue for this exhibit because this is really the main starting point for accessing Lost Lake cross-country trails and bike trails in the summer as well,” said Wilson. “Whistler Nordics was involved with this project essentially right from the get-go, accessing some funding from the Whistler Blackcomb Foundation to help transition it to a shared clubhouse for Whistler Nordics. A story about [local cross-country skiing] really does make a lot of sense to have here.” n

Big air bronze for Jude Oliver at 2026 Junior World Ski Championships

THE FREESTYLE WHISTLER ATHLETE ALSO PLACED SIXTH IN SLOPESTYLE

BY DAVID SONG

JUDE OLIVER’S promising rise up the ranks of freestyle skiing continued on March 4 with a big air bronze medal in Calgary, Alta., the inaugural Junior World Ski Championships podium of his young career.

The Whistlerite scored 173.50 points with his 1620 mute and switch 1800, requiring two attempts to land the latter trick cleanly. Only two athletes did better: gold medallist Frank Wahlstroem of Norway (185.25) and Kiwi Lucas Ball who took silver (184.75).

“Unreal,” said Oliver. “I just came here with the idea of coming top 10 in big air and slopestyle and I came sixth in the slopestyle [on Feb. 28] so I’m really, really stoked on that as well. Just hearing the sound of my name on the podium with a bunch of the big guys like Frank Wahlstroem, Lucas Ball and [fourthplace] Walker Woodring, it’s pretty unreal to think about.”

After dominating the Timber Tour, Oliver got his first taste of Nor-Am Cup action in early 2025 at Stoneham, Que. His best result was 30th, so he treated it like “a wake-up call” in competition against the likes of Bruce Oldham, Alec Henderson and Keagan Supple—all of whom have since made the World Cup.

Nor-Am events have not gotten any easier: Wahlstroem possesses World Cup experience, too, and Ball participated in the Milano Cortina Olympic Games. Oliver, though, is now ready for the challenge.

“He’s done such an amazing job and Jude is such a driven kid on the hill,” remarked his mom, Louise. “Obviously there’s some challenges trying to juggle school and friends and that aspect of just being a teenager, but he will choose to ski above anything else. He’s put in so much

time on the hill this year and it’s really starting to show.”

RIGHT TIME, RIGHT PLACE

Freestyle BC coach Graham Pollock has played a key role in Oliver’s journey. Pollock preaches, among other things, a vital principle: there’s always a right time and place for any given trick.

Take, for instance, the triple cork 1800 that Oliver wanted to execute at this January’s Copper Mountain Nor-Am. Conditions did not favour such risk-taking, so he waited until a subsequent training session in Whistler to accomplish it. Pollock later called to say congratulations.

“I’m really, really thankful that he’s put this much effort into coaching me and getting me higher in my skill level,” Oliver said of Pollock. “Pushing me through all these hard times I’ve had, to overcome crashes and mental setbacks when it comes to wanting to land a new trick and just not having the weather to do it … he helps me focus on what tricks I can do in the moment.”

More evidence of the 16-year-old’s progression can be found in his most recent Stoneham outing. This February he notched slopestyle bronze and fourth in big air: a massive improvement from last season and a performance that yielded the first monetary prize of his career.

He wants to reach ever higher, and thanks his community for backing his dreams.

“Whistler is always a hot spot for giving support to athletes,” commented Oliver. “It’s such a great place for community in general. All the bikers over summertime, I know I get great support because I’m really good friends with a bunch of them. Whistler has given me nothing but kindness … that just keeps me going, keeps my head up high and keeps me wanting more.” n

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Four Seasons Resort Whistler unveils new cocktail activation, ‘The Memoir’

THE MENU IS DESIGNED TO INVOKE NOSTALGIA IN VISITORS

THE FOUR SEASONS Resort and Residences Whistler is getting creative with its latest cocktail program, The Memoir.

This offering has been curated to present a narrative journey of sorts, with beverages dubbed “High School Summer,” “Cake for Breakfast,” “One More Sunset” and so forth to reference the kinds of core memories likely to be

BY DAVID SONG

dsong@piquenewsmagazine.com

shared by many guests. Even the menu is printed on quality paper that lasts, not unlike a leather-bound journal, featuring illustrations and calligraphystyle typography.

Drinks are unique both in terms of taste and presentation, with handmade glassware from Italy and Japan selected deliberately to complement each option. Servers and bartenders have been trained to present each beverage with intention so no two come out exactly alike.

“I think the activation of this cocktail

program is the elevation of [senses] intentionally to stimulate nostalgia,” said Kenneth Nicholas, Four Seasons director of food and beverage. “This was the thought process throughout every single cocktail that we have, from childhood memories to adult memories, so that’s why the cocktail names are as such. The flavours … that you go through, it just brings back a memory.

“There’s people who will order some classic cocktails like an oldfashioned margarita and whatnot, or

the Four Seasons have partnered with for more than two years. Described by Nicholas as a man “driven by passion,” Schabert possesses an extensive hospitality background. As a beverage consultant he has worked both in Canada and the United States, and was formerly director of bars and beverages at the Rosewood Miramar Beach.

“Cocktails have the power to unlock memories in an instant. With The Memoir, we wanted to create a menu that feels like reading a favourite book,

“People want to try new flavours. They want to try new feelings … I think cocktails are joyful.”

- KENNETH NICHOLAS

even a Manhattan, but I think cocktails [themselves] are adventurous. People want to try new flavours. They want to try new feelings … I think cocktails are joyful. People want to create a memory when they go out, like: ‘oh, remember that cocktail we had back then’ and all of that.”

‘EACH SIP INVITES GUESTS TO REFLECT’

Playing a key role in the development of The Memoir is Nils Schabert, whom

familiar yet full of rediscovery, where each sip invites guests to reflect on moments they have lived and moments still to come,” Schabert remarked in a press release.

Nicholas added: “He really brought it to life, but he also coordinated the flavours and the glassware to our bar team. Our head bartender, [Rocio Mogollon Plascenia], has now taken charge to make sure the consistency of the flavours and the product itself is continued.”

As a self-professed whiskey aficionado, Nicholas recommends “Under the Old Tree” for anybody who shares his tastes in alcohol. It’s a bourbon-style concoction spiced up with stone flower and hay-smoked honey. Other menu highlights in his view are “High School Summer” (reminiscent of bygone holidays with its mix of vodka, lime and coconut water) and “Cake for Breakfast” (a sweet drink with hints of strawberry, yuzu foam and cheesecake).

Not a fan of alcohol? Don’t worry, there are several enticing zero-proof options on the menu as well.

“This is actually not our first venture into zero-proof, but this is a trend moving forward,” said Nicholas. “We see a lot of our guests are more healthconscious. I feel that they’re wanting to try new things, but not going into the alcohol path—but also not just to have a non-alcoholic spritz or something with citruses. One of our [mocktails] is called ‘Grandma’s Radio’ ... it’s more like an amaretto sour. It seems to be one of our big sellers. I was a little bit surprised, but a lot of people actually come back for that.”

On March 27, the Four Seasons will host an official launch for The Memoir involving a presentation guided by Plascenia, a curated lunch and afternoon activities.

Visit press.fourseasons.com/ whistler/hotel-news/2026/new-cocktailprogram for more details. n

MEADOW PARK SPORTS CENTRE

SWIM • SKATE • SWEAT • SQUASH

OPEN DAILY: 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. *some exceptions apply

I INCLUDED FITNESS These classes are included with your price of admission for no extra charge.

Whistler influencer Macaila Wagner joins international media junket for Pixar film Hoppers

THE MOVIE STARS JON HAMM AND PIPER CURDA, AND IS DIRECTED

BY DAVID SONG

MACAILA WAGNER journeyed to Ecuador in 2025 to help protect the critically endangered Mindo harlequin toad (Atelopus mindoensis), and lately she’s also taken her talents to Hollywood.

She isn’t acting beside Robert Downey Jr. in Avengers: Doomsday, but the Whistlerite was invited to Pixar Animation headquarters in Emeryville, Calif. back on Jan. 12 and 13 to experience the new film: Hoppers The movie features a young animal lover voiced by Piper Curda who tries to thwart an environmentally-irresponsible construction company, while Jon Hamm co-stars as an antagonistic mayor.

Having been a nature and wildlife influencer on social media for more than two years, Wagner’s content attracted Walt Disney Studios Canada representatives who felt she might resonate with Hoppers and its themes of ecological awareness.

Wagner spent time in Emeryville as

a consultant of sorts, giving her opinion on the film’s approach to relevant environmental challenges. She also interviewed director Daniel Chong, producer Nicole Paradis Grindle and other key crew members.

“We got to see an early screening of the movie, which was incredible. People are going to absolutely love it,” Wagner

BY DANIEL CHONG

come out. To even see the early stages of sketches for those movies while we were at headquarters was pretty incredible.”

FOR ALL AGES

Wagner admits to being nervous when first approached by Disney because she’d never collaborated with a major entertainment business, yet she’s glad

“To even see the early stages of sketches for those movies while we were at headquarters was pretty incredible.”

- MACAILA WAGNER

says. “I also got to go behind the scenes, which was pretty shocking to learn how much actually goes into building a film. I had an idea of how intensive this process was, but I couldn’t have imagined all the details and the hundreds of different positions that go into this … learning from the very early stages of conducting field research in Yellowstone all the way to the end where they’re putting those final little brushstrokes on all the individual trees.

“Disney Pixar films shaped my whole childhood. I have pictures of me with Buzz [Lightyear] and Woody when they had just

to have the opportunity. Going forward, the 28-year-old hopes to further her own platform and get more people excited about nature.

Holding a bachelor’s degree in zoology, Wagner also possesses experience as a biologist-in-training and a research technician. She’s worked with many non-governmental organizations (NGOs), but finds social media can be a uniquely valuable method of reaching different demographics.

“I really believe that reception has been so positive because my initial

approach to making this educational content was specifically with my family in mind—which sort of sounds funny, but I have really young siblings that are really interested in what I do,” explains Wagner. “But then my grandparents are also very involved in what I do and they’re very curious as well. Whenever I’m approaching this content, short-form content and longform, I have in mind keeping it accessible to all ages and all backgrounds.

“The people who have a science background will of course love science content as well, but they’re already the people that care so much. I’ve always said that we need to reach people who have no previous knowledge about our environment. I was excited that we’re approaching the conversations we’re having in [Hoppers] ... don’t want to give any spoilers, but there’s some pretty prominent and important messaging coming through the screen.”

Wagner added she loves being based in Whistler due to the interest of locals in both outdoor recreation and environmental stewardship. She feels being surrounded by people who share her passions is valuable, and hopes more of the Sea to Sky will tune in to her platform in the future.

Hoppers is now playing in theatres. Visit instagram.com/makilllla/?hl=en to check out Wagner’s content. n

‘Out/side’

call for artists aims to centre queer experiences in Sea to Sky arts scene

SHOW RUNNING MAY 27 TO JULY 18 AIMS TO EXPLORE BELONGING, VISIBILITY AND COMMUNITY IN THE SEA TO SKY

BY LUKE FAULKS

ARTS WHISTLER is inviting Sea to Sky artists to help shape Out/side, a new exhibit centred on queer identity, belonging and visibility running from May 27 to July 18 at the Maury Young Arts Centre.

Created in partnership with Whistler Rainbow Connection, the show will explore how queer residents define themselves in a region more often defined by sport and recreation.

“That slash that’s in [the title], that’s letting people know you can bring your queer side out into the public space—talk about visibility, about feeling included or excluded, connection, building community [and] showing up as your full self in the shows that we do here,” says Arts Whistler curator Jessica Brown.

Applications for artists located from Lions Bay all the way to Lillooet are open until April 13, with selected artists notified April 17 and artwork due by May 16.

BELONGING IN A SMALL TOWN Out/side continues a growing series of Arts Whistler exhibitions built in partnership with local social-service groups.

“Two years ago, we ended up doing a partnership with Whistler Multicultural Society around the newcomer experience,” Arts Whistler executive director Mo Douglas recalls. “Last year, we partnered with Whistler Community Services and did a show which looked at the highs and lows of living in Sea to Sky.

“So we started knowing we wanted this three-part series. This year is the experience of the queer community living in Sea to Sky.”

Like in many small towns, Whistler’s queer community has long been present but diffuse.

“I think it’s safe to say Whistler has never really had an active queer scene,” Douglas says. “On one hand, it is incredibly inclusive, but the queer community didn’t feel they really needed that [scene], because they were integrating with everybody else.”

That dynamic can create both comfort and isolation—themes that have shaped the show’s emphasis on belonging and visibility.

Brown notes that in a town so strongly defined by sport, carving out space for queer community can be challenging.

“Whether you’re looking at it from a lens of potentially experiencing prejudice or finding your chosen family or finding queer representation in sport, or creating those spaces for yourself, there’s an opportunity to come at it from so many different angles,” she says

“That’s really what we want to do here, is just create a safe space for

expression [for] however people want to share their stories with us.”

ART AS CONVERSATION

Organizers say the exhibit is designed as a safe and inclusive way to share experiences. Artists can respond through personal stories, political perspectives or community observations—an intentionally broad scope meant to reflect the spectrum of queer life in the Sea to Sky.

“It’s finding that balance, too, to recognize there’s a lot of joy in the community, and you see it in pride and in so much of the expression of the queer community,” Mo explains. “But it’s still a group of minorities that do also struggle with vulnerability, and even if you want to express yourself, you ask, ‘Am I in a safe place to do it?’”

Works will prioritize queer-identifying artists, though submissions from allies may be accepted if space allows.

As with the first two years’ events, organizers say success will be measured by the conversations the show sparks.

“It’s a chance for the queer community to share their perspective with the entire mainstream community,” Douglas says. “If any of those people who aren’t in the queer community leave with a perception or a misconception changed, then we’ve really knocked it out of the park.”

Ultimately, organizers hope the exhibit affirms belonging—both within and beyond the queer community.

“Anything that helps that community rise up and be seen and further the conversations create more allyship. All of it just helps Whistler be a richer, prouder community right across the board, for everybody,” Douglas concludes.

Applications close April 13. More information can be found on Arts Whistler’s website. n

Whistler EldersEnrichmentSocietypresents

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MUSIC • AP

5 ARS 0FW HISTLER

1975 2025

Join u apres ski fashion celebration and fun’raiser feat f Whistler legends, characters and athletes 3PM APRES SOCIAL • 4PM-5:30PM SHOW

PIES• CASH BAR• SILENT AUCTION

MAURY

In honour of Isobel MacLaurin, Whistler ’s first professional artist and a lady of fashion in her own right, who was a very gregarious and generous member of Rotary and the Arts.

SATURDAY, MARCH 28, 2026

YOU G ARTS CE TRE

TICKETS

Proceeds raised will support the Whistler Elders Enrichment Society, which is raising funds to operate a Whistler Seniors facility where all individuals can be accommodated for fitness, social activities and resources that will allow them to remain in their community and age in place

ARTS SCENE

PIQUE’S GUIDE TO LOCAL EVENTS & NIGHTLIFE

Here’s a quick look at some events happening in Whistler this week and beyond. FIND MORE LOCAL EVENT LISTINGS (and submit your own for free!)

SEEDY SUNDAY

LAUGH OUT LIVE PRESENTS GONDOLA 146

Whistler’s acclaimed comedy variety show returns for its final event of the season, jam-packed with improv and sketch comedy, outrageous characters, original short films, and massive prize giveaways! It’s unpredictable, uniquely Whistler! Never been? Think Saturday Night Live meets Whose Line Is It Anyway? meets The Price Is Right meets Whistler!

> March 13, 6 p.m. and 8:30 p.m.

> Maury Young Arts Centre

AFTER SCHOOL ART (GRADES K-2)

After School Art offers students discourse and activities, which will deepen their knowledge and understanding of the history and methods of artmaking in British Columbia.

> March 13, 3 to 4:30 p.m.

> Audain Art Museum

BC LUGE CHAMPIONSHIPS

The BC Luge Championships bring together the province’s top talent for a weekend of high-speed competition and community celebration. From youth racers to seasoned veterans, this event showcases the depth of luge talent in British Columbia and Alberta. Held on North America’s only public sliding track, the Championships are a testament to the power of sport to unite and inspire. Come support your local athletes and experience the thrill of luge in its purest form.

> March 14

> Whistler Sliding Centre

PEMBERTON SEEDY SUNDAY

Join us to learn, connect, and celebrate the beginning of the growing season at this free community event!

Swap seeds and stories with local growers, meet regional food security organizations, support local garden and food vendors, and “ask an expert” your gardening and seed saving questions. There will be free activities for all ages, live music, and more!

> March 15, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

> Pemberton Community Centre, in the Great Hall

PORTOBELLO FAMILY APRES

Inspired by Whistler’s ski culture, Family Après brings together live music, kid-friendly activities, and tasty bites for the whole family every Saturday. After a day on the slopes, it is the perfect way to celebrate and start a new tradition of mountain weekends. Highlights include complimentary maple taffy, cookie decorating kits with the purchase of a kids’ meal, and a variety of games and coloring kits.

> March 14, 3 to 5 p.m.

> Portobello

TEEN ART COLLECTIVE

A safe, supportive space for teens to explore their thoughts and emotions through creative expression. Guided by a trained art therapist, classes encourages self-awareness, emotional growth and personal insight using a variety of art materials and techniques. Whether coping with anxiety, stress, self-esteem issues, or simply seeking a creative outlet, this class empowers teens to use art as a tool for healing, growth, and self-discovery.

> March 15, 3:30 to 5 p.m.

> Audain Art Museum

PUBLIC SKELETON EXPERIENCE

Try Whistler’s most unique activity and slide like an Olympian! Ride solo on your skeleton sled through six corners with speeds of up to 100 km/hr. Don’t worry that your run might be over too fast; you get to go twice! Public Skeleton runs rain, snow or shine. No experience required and limited availability. Ages 16+.

> March 15

> Whistler Sliding Centre

SPRING BREAK TO SPRING BLOOM: SOAPSTONE CARVING

Fathom Stone Art presents their Spring Carving Series, where guests can hand carve their own soapstone egg, bunny, tulips, and other spring-inspired designs in a guided gallery experience. This workshop offers a calm, creative escape, perfect for anyone looking for a unique spring activity in Whistler.

> March 16 to March 27

> Fathom Stone Arts

FREERIDE WORLD TOUR QUALIFIER 2

Whistler Blackcomb proudly presents the 2026 Whistler IFSA Qualifier 2* presented by Gatorade. This event is guaranteed to showcase some gnarly drops, jumps and lines from the top freeride competitors!

> March 17 to March 19

> Blackcomb Mountain

YOGA AT THE AUDAIN

Revel in the stunning architecture as you work through a calming one-hour practice with rotating instructors. Classes emphasize breathing, alignment and ease as you stretch and strengthen your body and mind. Registration includes access to the galleries on the day of the yoga session from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Bring your mat (or borrow one from the AAM) and enjoy some mind and body wellness!

> March 19, 9:30 to 10:30 a.m.

> Audain Art Museum

MUSEUM MUSINGS & ASTROLOGY

Help protect biodiversity from invasive species

BY KRISTINA SWERHUN

“Nature once determined how we survive. Now we determine how nature survives.”

–Sir

David Attenborough

WHISTLER IS fortunate to have the Sea to Sky Invasive Species Council (SSISC) to help protect biodiversity, our strongest natural defence against climate change. SSISC was formed in 2009 to minimize the threat of invasive species—species introduced from other regions, primarily by humans, that rapidly spread and cause significant harm to the environment, the economy, or human health.

It’s often mentioned that invasive species are the second most significant threat to biodiversity after habitat loss. What’s less commonly cited is that both invasive species and habitat loss are driven by economic growth. When we don’t acknowledge economic growth as the primary cause of biodiversity loss, we may believe that, with precautions and technological advances, we can continue to grow forever on a finite planet. However, as Sir Attenborough has also said, anyone who believes this is “either a madman or an economist.”

Some relatively good news among the bad news of invasive species is that, since

mass access here was relatively recent (beginning with the arrival of the railway in 1914), Whistler has been exposed to invasive species for less time than our neighbours in Squamish (mid-1800s) and Pemberton (also mid-1800s when 30,000 gold-rushers passed through). Another positive is ecologically minded residents have been removing invasive plants on their own initiative for years before SSISC formed. These advantages enable SSISC to now eradicate high-priority invasive plants, such as Scotch Broom, Himalayan Blackberry, and others, from Whistler.

Free Will Astrology

ARIES (March 21-April 19): In theater, “breaking the fourth wall” means acknowledging the audience. An actor steps out of the pretense that what’s happening on stage is real. It’s a disruptive moment of truth that can deepen the experience. I would love you to break the fourth wall in your own life, Aries. It’s a favourable time to slip free of any roles you’ve been performing by rote and just blurt out the more interesting truths. Tell someone, “This isn’t working for me.” Or say, “I need to be my pure self with greater authenticity.” Breaking the fourth wall won’t ruin the show; it will be more fun and real and entertaining.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): English speakers like me use the terms “destiny” and “fate” interchangeably. But a scholar of ancient Sumer claims they had different meanings in that culture. Nam, the word for “destiny,” was fixed and immutable. Namtar, meaning “fate,” could be manipulated, adjusted, and even cheated. I bring this to your attention, Taurus, because I believe you now have a golden chance to veer off a path that leads to an uninteresting or unproductive destiny and start gliding along a fateful detour.

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): The coming months will be a favourable time for you to shed the fairy-tale story of success that once inspired you when you were younger and more idealistic. A riper vision is emerging, calling you toward a more realistic and satisfying version of your life’s purpose. The transformation may at first feel unsettling, but I believe it will ultimately awaken even deeper zeal and greater creativity than your original dream. Bonus: Your revised, more mature goals will lead you to the very rewards your youthful hopes imagined but never quite delivered.

CANCER (June 21-July 22): Even if you’re not actually far from home, Cancerian, I bet you’re on a pilgrimage or odyssey of some kind. The astrological omens tell me that you’re being drawn away from familiar ideas and

WEEK OF MARCH 13 BY

feelings and are en route to an unknown country. You’re transforming, but you’re not sure how yet. During this phase of exploration, I suggest that you adopt a nickname that celebrates being on a quest. This will be a playful alias that helps you focus on the pregnant potential of this interlude.

A few you might want to consider: Journey Seed, Threshold Traveller, Holy Rambler, Map-Edge Maverick, or Wanderlust Wonderer. Others? Choose one that tickles you with the sense that you are being born again while you travel.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Love is more than a gentle glow in your heart or a pleasurable spark in your body. When fully awakened and activated, it becomes a revolutionary way of being in the world that invites you to challenge and rethink all you’ve been taught about reality. It’s a bold magic that alters everything it encounters. You can certainly choose a milder, tamer version of love if you wish. But if you’d like to evolve into a love maestro—as you very well could during the next 12 months—I suggest you give yourself to the deeper, wilder form. Do you dare?

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Octopuses have neuron clusters in their arms that enable them to “think with their limbs.” Let’s make them your spirit creature for now, Virgo. Your body’s intuitions are offering you guidance that might even be as helpful as your fine mind. This enhanced somatic brilliance can serve you in practical ways: a creative breakthrough while doing housework, a challenging transition handled with aplomb, a fresh alignment between your feelings and ideas. I hope you will listen to your body as if it were a beloved mentor. Trust your movements and physical sensations to reveal what you need to know.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): I love your diplomatic genius: the capacity to understand all sides, to hold space for contradictions, to find the middle ground. But right now it’s in danger of curdling into a kind of self-erasure where your

The bad news is humans spread invasive species, and the resort is becoming busier, especially in the warmer months when invasives are more likely to spread. One unfortunate example is Whistler’s lakes. Most have been stocked with invasive rainbow trout for sport fishing, some as early as the 1920s. Unfortunately, not only did rainbow trout displace native cutthroat trout, but fish stocking can also introduce other invasive species that hitchhike in transported water and mud. Additionally, lake users who don’t

ROB BREZSNY

own desires become the one thing you can’t quite locate. Another way to understand this: You are so skilled at seeing everyone’s perspective that you sometimes lose track of your own. Here’s the antidote I recommend: Practice the revolutionary act of having strong opinions, of preferring one thing over another without immediately undercutting your preference with a counter-argument. I guarantee that your relationships will survive your decisiveness. In fact, they will deepen as people locate the real you beneath your exquisite balance.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): New love cravings have been welling up inside you, Scorpio. These cries of the heart may confuse you even as they delight you and invigorate you. One of your main tasks is to listen closely to what they’re telling you, but to wait a while before expressing their messages to other people. You need to study them in detail before spilling them out. Another prime task is to feel patient awe and reverence for the immensity and intensity of these deep, wild desires.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): If you are fulfilling your birthright as a Sagittarius, you are a philosopheradventurer with a yearning for deep meaning. As you seek out interesting truths, your restless curiosity is a spiritual necessity. You understand that wisdom comes from collecting diverse, sometimes contradictory experiences and weaving them into a coherent worldview. You have a fundamental need to keep expanding and reinventing what freedom means to you. All these qualities may make some people nervous, but they really are among your primary assignments now and forever. They are especially important to cultivate these days.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): In traditional navigation, “dead reckoning” means finding your position by tracking your previous movements. Where you have been tells you where you are. But it only works if you’ve

“clean, drain and dry” their equipment risk transporting and spreading invasive species. Finally, many released aquarium pets become invasive species, and sadly, Whistler has multiple water bodies where released goldfish are devastating native fish and amphibians.

The Whistler Museum operates its Discover Nature program at Lost Lake every summer, so we’re attuned to the ecology of the lake. We noticed giant snails (up to six cm) a few years ago, which seemed out of place, and indeed, they were. They turned out to be invasive Chinese Mystery Snails, and this year their populations grew exponentially—a typical trajectory for invasive species. SSISC confirms they are present in other Whistler lakes as well, but our concern for Lost Lake specifically is that it is the only place in the valley where Western toads breed. The invasive snail can harm aquatic food webs, which the Western toad is a big part of in Lost Lake.

We’re looking forward to working with SSISC and the municipality to see what can be done to protect Western toads from invasive species. How the snails arrived is currently unknown, but it could be any of the reasons above or a vector we don’t yet understand. To learn more about invasive species and how you can protect biodiversity, please visit SSISC.ca. n

been honest about your course. If you’ve been misleading yourself about the direction you have been travelling, dead reckoning will get you lost. I bring this to your attention, Capricorn, because I really want you to rededicate yourself to telling yourself the deepest, strongest, clearest truths. Where have you actually been going? Not where you told yourself you were going or where other people imagined you were going, but where your choices have actually been taking you. Look at the pattern of your real movements, not your stated intentions. Once you know your true position, you can chart a true course for the future.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): You’re entering a rambling zigzag phase. Each plot twist will branch into two more, and every supposed finale will reveal itself as the opening act of another surprise. Fortunately, your gift for quick thinking and innovative adaptation is sharper than ever, which means you will flourish where others might freeze. My suggestion? Forget the script. Approach the unpredictable adventures like an improv exercise: spontaneous, playful, and open to the fertile mysteries.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): Can you compel acts of grace to intervene in your destiny? Can bursts of divine favour be summoned through the power of your will? Some spiritual scholars say, “Absolutely not.” They claim life’s wild benevolence arrives only through the mysterious tides of fate—impossible to solicit and impossible to predict. But other observers, more open-minded, speculate that your intelligent goodness might indeed attract the vivid generosity of cosmic energies. I bring this up because I suspect you Pisceans are either receiving or will soon receive blessings that feel like divine favour. Did you earn them, or are you just lucky—or some of both? It doesn’t matter. Enjoy the gift.

Homework: Take yourself to the river when it’s time to go to the river. Newsletter.FreeWillAstrology.com. n

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We’rehiringanExecutiveDirectorwhowillgrowourimpactby raising,investing,andgrantingfundstoaddressvital communityneeds—fromtheenvironmentandfoodsecurityto theartsandreconciliation.

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HeadquarteredinPemberton,theSquamish-LillooetRegionalDistrict(SLRD) serves four membermunicipalities—Squamish,Whistler,Pemberton, and Lillooet—andfour electoralareas.Located in oneofBritish Columbia’s most scenic regions, theSLRDoffersa supportive,hybridworkenvironment and anexceptionalplacetoliveandwork

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The Cheeto and the Damage Done

A YEAR INTO its aggressive, shambolic and frankly dumb campaign to cut the federal work force, the kakistocracy masquerading as the U.S. government has eliminated more than a quarter of a million jobs—95,000 in sciences alone. Among the latter, it’s no surprise the hardest-hit have been those agencies

BY LESLIE ANTHONY

which oversee climate science and adaptation—including disaster relief. For example, payrolls of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the U.S. Geological Survey both shrank by 20 per cent; the Department of Agriculture, which oversees everything from food assistance to farm subsidies, lost 20,000 employees.

Losing 18 per cent of the staff who do evaluations and flow money to farmers after hurricanes, tornados or floods has been as impactful to these operations as tariffs; because of reduced capacity, disaster relief has been sporadic to nonexistent. Indeed, those remaining at all science agencies are left holding the bag of such irresponsibility, trying to do more with less.

An example: early last July, forecasting by the National Weather Service (NWS) made it clear a powerful developing storm had the potential to create flash flooding in the Texas hill country. In total, NWS issued 22 alerts of escalating severity for in and around Kerr County over July 3 and 4, while local government weather-service messages concerning flood risk were issued for Western and Central Texas. No local alerts were issued, however, by government officials and emergency

managers in Kerr County because the position responsible for warning them was empty, leaving citizens solely reliant on direct NWS alerts—which they may or may not have been aware of. Some 135 people lost their lives in the resulting floods, including many children at a summer camp.

According to the New York Times, such “piecemeal effects of job cuts on virtually every corner of the government” have created similar vacancies everywhere. Meteorologists are having trouble keeping up with data and weather-balloon launches. When national parks lost their rangers, visitors immediately began littering, vandalizing, cliff-jumping and flying drones. Not that the current version cares enough to do so, but the government’s own capacity to file lawsuits against major polluters tanked as its lawyers left in droves.

It all began in February 2025 when, in an unprecedented move, Trump officials began terminating alreadyfunded federal grants at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and later, the National Science Foundation (NSF), two of America’s largest public supporters of scientific research. According to a Nature summary, more than 7,800 grants (5,844 NIH + 1,996 NSF) were terminated or frozen amid proposed budget cuts of 35 per cent amounting to U.S. $32 billion; as a result, public educational institutions also faced nearly $2.1 billion in funding cuts, while private institutions lost about $1.2 billion. Guided by the Christian-nationalist manifesto, Project 2025, Trump’s authoritarian regime disproportionally targeted projects on topics that threatened its agenda of theocratic corporatocracy—such as misinformation, climate science, clean energy, vaccine hesitancy, infectious diseases and research on underrepresented ethnic and gender groups, labelling the latter “discriminatory and unscientific.”

In the short term, likewise elimination of NIH programs aimed at diversity, equity and inclusion have reduced the country’s ability to address health challenges effectively; cuts to

FDA inspections are compromising the quality of food, drugs and medical products, which also impacts public health. In the longer term, general erosion of funding and staffing threatens the future of scientific research and innovation in the U.S. Not only does this hinder progress in critical areas like climate science and public health, but creates an environment of uncertainty and instability within the scientific community, stalling advancements that benefit society.

The reductions particularly affected early-career scientists, making it harder for them to secure jobs and funding while creating long-term recruitment challenges that amount to nothing less than dismantling “the very foundations of America’s prosperity,” according to the MIT Technology Review Many scientists believe the country will not recover from this in our lifetimes.

So, how much has been saved by these actions, conducted under the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) originally led by Elon Musk, who boasted it would reduce federal spending by $1 trillion? Well, reported savings are only around $175 billion, though even this is considered inflated and has been widely questioned; independent reviews suggest actual savings of $1 billion to $7 billion. Not only has the scorching of U.S. science and the destruction of thousands of careers not brought the Trumpsters close to any meaningful savings, but a year later, federal spending has only gone up—led by obscene funding for DHS, ICE and Trump’s apparently endless appetite for warmongering adventurism.

Nevertheless, conservative lawmakers elsewhere have felt emboldened to do similarly idiotic things. Utah Senator Mike Lee is weaponizing the Congressional Review Act resolution in an attempt to wipe out protections for Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument—a 1.87-million-acre wild landscape that protects world-famous geological formations, rare dinosaur fossils, cultural sites and biodiversity that includes bighorn sheep, mountain lions and more than 200 bird species.

Removing protections is yet another attack on public-land safeguards, with the goal of letting private industry in while pushing the public out. Conservation groups rightly worry similar manoeuvres on other federal lands will follow. Meanwhile, West Virginia lawmakers passed a bill to weaken drinking water protections (???) under the Aboveground Storage Tank Act, passed in 2014 after a chemical leak along the Elk River contaminated drinking water for nearly 300,000 West Virginians.

Fortunately, hope still glimmers in continued pushback to such inexplicably moronic policies: scientists and other experts preparing a first-of-its-kind assessment of the health of nature in the U.S. had their efforts cancelled when Trump returned to the White House, but went ahead and compiled it anyway, releasing the 868-page draft for public comment and scientific review this week; the Washington, D.C.-based Center for Biological Diversity, which fights for imperiled wildlife species and filed 266 lawsuits against Trump in his first term, has added another 83 in his second; and finally, a federal judge ruled on March 3 that Trump’s efforts to shut down New York City’s congestion pricing program are unlawful.

Some wins are even coming from industry: Each year around this time, the U.S. releases expectations for new power plant construction. This year’s data-drop shows that clean energy, once again, will dominate. Even as Trump employed novel and at times legally dubious means to block renewable energy growth, the power sector, attracted by low costs, build speed, and climate and environmental benefits, keeps choosing clean energy. Most tellingly—and maybe most hopeful—Trump’s recent highprofile oil-and-gas lease sale in Alaska has so far seen no takers, suggesting that even criminal oil-and-gas concerns are at least smart enough to pass on the dumbest of the dumb.

Leslie Anthony is a biologist, writer and author of several popular books on environmental science. n

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