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SEPTEMBER 11, 2026 ISSUE 33.37

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GIMME SHELTER FSR camps expose the human cost of the housing crisis

IN THE RUNNING Marco Zunino launches mayoral campaign

TRICKY TRIO Magic, clowning and comedy at the Maury Young

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THIS WEEK IN PIQUE

The pulse of Mary’s garden Finding life, resilience and acceptance in the changing seasons. - By Mary MacDonald

06 OPENING REMARKS As screens and AI reshape the classroom, both parents and 12 GIMME SHELTER Long-term camps on local forest service roads expose the human kids need to rethink their relationship with technology, writes editor Braden Dupuis.

cost of the housing crisis—and the limits of enforcement.

08 LETTERS TO THE EDITOR This week’s letter-writers share kudos for another

13 IN THE RUNNING Mayoral hopeful Marco Zunino campaigns on social housing,

Whistler Summer Concert Series, and weigh in on Canada/U.S. relations.

community spaces and a more sustainable local economy.

22 THE OUTSIDER Vince Shuley channels his inner Boost Bro in pursuit of high-speed

28 CRUZ CONTROL Two victories in Mont-Sainte-Anne propel Pemberton’s Tegan Cruz

victory in the bike park.

to second in the King of Crankworx standings.

42 PIQUE’N YER INTEREST tobias c. van Veen asks some Whistler candidates the 32 TRICKY TRIO Three acclaimed performers bring magic, clowning, comedy and cardistry to the Maury Young Arts Centre.

questions no one else will—from naked ski runs to Molotov cocktails.

COVER Thank you, Mary. - Illustrations by Mary MacDonald

Publisher SARAH STROTHER - sstrother@piquenewsmagazine.com Editor BRADEN DUPUIS - bdupuis@piquenewsmagazine.com Sales Manager KAIJA KNOX - kknox@lodestarmedia.ca

Reporters LUKE FAULKS - lfaulks@piquenewsmagazine.com DAVID SONG - sports@piquenewsmagazine.com Classifieds and Reception - mail@piquenewsmagazine.com

Production Manager AMIR SHAHRESTANI - ashahrestani@piquenewsmagazine.com

Contributors G.D. MAXWELL, VINCE SHULEY, LESLIE ANTHONY,

Art Director JON PARRIS - jparris@piquenewsmagazine.com

GLENDA BARTOSH, ANDREW MITCHELL, LISA RICHARDSON,

Advertising Representatives TESSA SWEENEY - tsweeney@wplpmedia.com ANDREW BUDRESKI - abudreski@piquenewsmagazine.com

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Pique Newsmagazine (a publication of Lodestar Media) The entire contents of Pique Newsmagazine are copyright 2026 by Pique Newsmagazine (a publication of Lodestar Media). No portion may be reproduced in whole or in part by any means, including electronic retrieval systems, without the express written permission of the Publisher. In no event shall unsolicited material subject this publication to any claim or fees. Copyright in letters and other (unsolicited) materials submitted and accepted for publication remains with the author but the publisher and its licensees may freely reproduce them in print, electronic or other forms. Letters to the Editor must contain the author’s name, address and daytime telephone number. Maximum length is 250 words. We reserve the right to edit, condense or reject any contribution. Letters reflect the opinion of the writer and not that of Pique Newsmagazine. Pique Newsmagazine is a member of the National Newsmedia Council, which is an independent organization established to deal with acceptable journalistic practices and ethical behaviour. If you have concerns about editorial content, please contact (edit@piquenewsmagazine.com). If you are not satisfied with the response and wish to file a formal complaint, visit the web site at mediacouncil.ca or call toll-free 1-844-877-1163 for additional information. ISSN #1206-2022 Subscriptions: $76.70/yr. within Canada, $136.60/yr. courier within Canada. $605.80/yr. courier to USA. GST included. GST Reg. #R139517908. Canadian Publications Mail Product. Sales Agreement #40016549.

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OPENING REMARKS

No child left offline THERE SURELY COMES a time when

we all must endure our first “elderly” moment—coming face to face with technology we can suddenly no longer comprehend; a world which now only angers and confuses us. Mine was a few years back, when trying to purchase a ticket for Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3. Being thoroughly perplexed by all the odd symbols next to my movie’s showtime, I opted for the most expensive one, positing this premium moviegoing experience would surely be worth whatever those odd symbols meant.

BY BRADEN DUPUIS It wasn’t until the movie began and my chair started rocking and shaking with the intensity of a dysfunctional mechanical bull that I realized my grave error. I was sitting in a D-BOX seat, which I did not know was a thing until the exact second it started abusing me. And suddenly there I was, a man in his mid-30s feeling very much a senior citizen as my old, confused bones rocked and rolled in rhythm to the interstellar action on the screen. That may have been my first real glimpse into the depths of the great generational divide, but it surely wasn’t the last—and they seem to get more frequent all the time. Lately my “old-man-yelling-at-clouds” pet peeve is far from original, being shared by many of us pre-internet babies: those damn kids and their damn screens. I see it in my nieces and nephews, who can transform from happy, functional children into tiny screenaddicted warlords the moment access to a device is threatened or another child has monopolized it too long. But it’s easy, too, to recognize the ancient ritual being performed here. Every generation eventually decides the one behind it has been ruined by

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some new technology, cultural trend or unfamiliar arrangement of vowels. Rock music did it. Television did it. Video games did it. Social media did it. Now artificial intelligence is here to ruin the kids once and for all. Looking back, all those bad words I listened to on CDs labelled with explicit content warnings, and all the gruesome fatalities I performed in Mortal Kombat did not turn me into an unfeeling monster, as the old folks predicted they would. But that’s not to say the elders are entirely wrong. Just in time for the new school year, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) released the results of the largest-ever edition of its international student assessment on Sept. 8—and they paint a troubling picture. More than 760,000 15-year-olds in 91 countries and economies participated in the 2025 Programme for International Student Assessment, or PISA. Across OECD countries, average reading scores have fallen by 28 points since 2015—the equivalent of roughly a year and a half of

learning—while math scores dropped by more than a year’s worth. One in five students now ranks as a low performer in science, reading and math, compared with one in six in 2022. The OECD was careful not to pin that entire decline on technology. Performance was already slipping before COVID-19 scrambled education systems around the world, and familiar factors such as family income and access to educational support remain profoundly important. But its findings on screens and artificial intelligence should make parents, teachers—and perhaps especially governments and tech

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accessibility, medical and equity needs. Locally, Myrtle Philip Community School tells students to keep phones, smart watches, e-readers and wireless earbuds put away unless a teacher permits their use for learning. Whistler Secondary similarly prohibits phones and other electronic devices during class time. Those rules are sensible, but they’re also a little absurd when viewed against the wider world we adults have built around children. The Sea to Sky School District’s backto-school package directs families to download its school-news app so they can receive push notifications—another illustration of how thoroughly screens have embedded themselves in modern life. We use them to work, bank, socialize, navigate, learn, relax and communicate with our children’s schools—then become scandalized when children struggle to put them down. School bans may reduce classroom distraction, but research on their broader academic and mental-health benefits remains mixed. A phone locked away for six hours does not undo another six spent

School bans may reduce classroom distraction, but research on their broader academic and mental-health benefits remains mixed. A phone locked away for six hours does not undo another six spent staring into it afterward.

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evangelists—pause. More than one in four students across OECD countries reported classmates being distracted by digital devices in most or every science lesson. On average, students reporting that distraction scored 11 points lower in science and also reported lower engagement and a weaker sense of belonging at school—although Canada was among the minority of participating countries where the difference in science performance was not statistically significant. Canadian students reported spending an average of 1.6 hours each school day using digital devices for learning—and another 1.1 hours using them for leisure. AI has already burrowed its way into the classroom, too. Thirty-eight per cent of Canadian students said they used AI chatbots to help them learn at least once a week. Twenty-three per cent used them to summarize assigned reading, while 18 per cent used them to draft written assignments. Students who did not use AI to draft their writing generally outperformed those who did. But the picture was not

entirely straightforward: moderate AI users sometimes performed better than rare or intensive users, while frequent users who had been taught to assess AI-generated information tended to outperform those who received no such guidance. The OECD cautioned that these relationships do not establish cause and effect. The danger is what happens when AI becomes a substitute for attention, effort and understanding—in other words, the entire process school is supposed to foster. B.C. has required school districts to restrict personal digital devices since 2024, with exceptions for instructional,

staring into it afterward. That makes this a much larger and more uncomfortable conversation than simply blaming the kids. New York City is taking the dramatic step of imposing a one-year moratorium on student-facing generative AI from preschool through Grade 8, while limiting younger students’ screen time and reserving controlled AI use and literacy training for high school. Whether that works remains to be seen. But the underlying principle seems sound: children should learn how to think before we get them hooked on machines willing to do their thinking for them. n

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Thanks for another ‘incredible’ Whistler Summer Concert Series

I fear that the majority of Americans are blissfully unaware of how low their reputation on many fronts has sunk and so fast due to the bizarre actions of their Sharpie-wielding dictator wannabe. Talk is cheap—go home and do something to show us you are still our friends and not a threat! Dave Harkley // Pemberton

A huge thanks to Kristin Robinson, her team, the Resort Municipality of Whistler and sponsors for another summer of incredible concerts in the village. When they cut down the village forest for the Olympics, many did not see the vision of creating a new space where locals, families and visitors could connect. Seeing so many people of all ages and places gather over the summer to enjoy a wide variety of extremely well-curated music was a pleasure and demonstration of the strength and welcoming nature of the Whistler community. Mike Mills // Whistler

On Canada/U.S. relations, ‘talk is cheap’ Regarding the Aug. 28 editorial regarding an American couple’s experience while visiting Whistler (see Pique, Aug. 28, “Dollar for dollar”), while I agree our default behaviour should be kind and courteous to U.S. visitors, I no longer accept that when the topic of continual American attacks and insults to Canadians comes up, we should be consoled by their limp “we are sorry” pleading. Their alibi and convenient separation

Clearing up ‘misconceptions’ about tennis proposals

of them from their government is pathetic. They are the people who their government serves and the majority of them voted FOR President Trump and his cartel of “Manifest Destiny” disciples. As for the other Americans who claim not to have voted for MAGA—don’t tell me you’re

sorry, go home and speak up and/or march peacefully on the White House in enough numbers to prove to Canadians (and the rest of the world) that you do not agree with your government’s actions and want corrective direction or you’ll change your leaders.

Write to us! Letters to the editor must contain the writer’s name, address and a daytime telephone number. Maximum length is 450 words. Pique Newsmagazine reserves the right to edit, condense or refrain from publishing any contribution. Letters reflect the opinion of the writer and not that of Pique Newsmagazine. Send them to edit@ piquenewsmagazine.com before 11 a.m. on Tuesday for consideration in that week’s paper.

As the Northlands rezoning process enters a critical stage, the Whistler Tennis Association (WTA) believes it is important to contribute to the community discussion about the future of recreation in Whistler. There are many legitimate and competing views about how the Community Amenity Contribution (CAC) associated with the proposed redevelopment should be allocated. That is exactly how a healthy community should function. However, several misconceptions have emerged about what the WTA is actually proposing. For us, this debate is fundamentally about preserving an existing community asset rather than creating a new one. One perception is that the tennis and pickleball community is asking taxpayers to

SEE PAGE 10 >>

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LETTERS TO THE EDITOR << FROM PAGE 8 build a “Racket Mahal” or provide our sports with something more than other recreational users enjoy. That is simply not the case. Unlike groups advocating for new recreational amenities, the racket sports community is facing the loss of an existing, and heavily used, community asset. The proposed Northlands redevelopment will displace the Whistler Racket Club, Whistler’s only year-round indoor facility. Our objective is not expansion; it is continuity. That distinction matters. Some members of the community have suggested that tennis and pickleball players should share general indoor recreation space, much as hockey players and figure skaters share Whistler’s ice arena. After all, Whistler already has an extensive network of outdoor courts. At first glance, that comparison seems reasonable. In our view, however, it rests on a false equivalence: it assumes outdoor courts are an adequate substitute for a year-round, purpose-built racket facility. A better analogy would be the Meadow Park Sports Centre itself being demolished to make way for condominiums and then telling hockey players not to worry because there are plenty of frozen lakes to skate on. Most people would immediately recognize that frozen lakes are not a substitute

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for an indoor arena. Likewise, Whistler’s outdoor courts—valuable though they are—cannot replace a weather-protected facility that supports programming such as year-round casual and competitive leagues, juniors training, seniors activities, lessons, tournaments and recreational play. Another misconception is that the WTA is advocating for an exclusive tennis-only

broad cross-section of residents and visitors. It is equally important to clarify that the WTA does not expect taxpayers to bear the full cost of such a facility. For years we have explored—and continue to welcome—private investment and operating partnerships to reduce or eliminate the burden on taxpayers. We believe a model that leverages private capital and expertise

“This debate shouldn’t be about one special interest competing with another for scarce public dollars.” - BRIAN EBY AND ANSA AHMED

facility. For years we have supported a multi-purpose racket centre accommodating tennis, pickleball and other compatible activities. Our emphasis on adequate court capacity is driven not by ideology but by economics. A facility with only one or two covered courts attached to a broader recreation centre doesn’t have enough space for the aforementioned programming needed to operate sustainably, and would instead resemble a traditional municipal recreation facility dependent on ongoing taxpayer support. A properly scaled racket centre can be financially self-supporting while serving a

offers one of the most practical paths toward delivering a financially sustainable, multi-purpose public racket centre. To date, however, the RMOW and council have been reluctant to pursue approaches involving private operators or long-term arrangements on public land. A number of municipalities have already developed successful publicprivate partnerships, which provide affordable public access to facilities. Finally, there remains a perception that the tennis community is trying to revive the ambitious vision of a world-class tennis facility proposed decades ago, back when

Whistler was actively striving to become an international recreation destination. Today, our goal is far more modest: preserving a recreational asset which has served Whistler (and its visitors) for more than three decades, and whose capacity in the community has actually declined over time as courts have been removed, repurposed or shared—even as participation in tennis and pickleball has grown. This debate shouldn’t be about one special interest competing with another for scarce public dollars. It should be about ensuring that when redevelopment removes an important community facility, the community does not lose that recreational opportunity altogether. The purpose of a CAC is to ensure redevelopment leaves the community better off than before, not merely to compensate for what has been lost. Replacing one valued recreational facility with an unrelated amenity does little to preserve the recreational opportunities that redevelopment itself has displaced—resulting in little more than a zero-sum transaction. The Whistler Tennis Association welcomes a thoughtful discussion about how best to achieve that objective. We simply ask that it begin with an accurate understanding of what the racket sports community is—and is not—proposing. Brian Eby and Ansa Ahmed // Whistler Tennis Association co-presidents n

NEWS WHISTLER

Whistler-area FSR camps put housing crisis, enforcement gaps in the spotlight ‘ALL OF OUR FOREST SERVICE ROADS HAVE BEEN CHALLENGED WITH LONG-TERM LIVING’

BY LUKE FAULKS BEYOND WHISTLER’S neighbourhoods, forest service roads offer something increasingly difficult to find in the Sea to Sky: a place to stay without sky-high rent. For some, that means a night or two of camping; for others, a vehicle, trailer or tent parked on Crown land has become a much longer-term home. Provincial rules generally limit camping on Crown land to 14 consecutive days in one location. But the Whistler Community Services Society (WCSS) estimates roughly 30 vehicles are occupied year-round along local forest service roads—not including people living in tents, sleeping rough or using other makeshift accommodations around Whistler. “We also see people who initially view living in a vehicle, trailer or tent as a temporary solution remaining in these situations for much longer than they had anticipated because they are unable to find a viable housing alternative,” said WCSS

CROWN CONCERNS Local officials have pressed the province for stronger oversight of long-term camping at Anderson Lake, the Squamish Valley, WedgeWoods and the Cheakamus (pictured) and Wedge FSRs. FILE PHOTO

12 SEPTEMBER 11, 2026

director of social services Lisa Coulter. The situation has drawn attention from residents and local governments concerned about garbage, sanitation, wildlife and wildfire risks. But it has also exposed a more complicated problem: the SquamishLillooet Regional District (SLRD) says it has little authority to regulate Crown land, while the province says enforcement is already taking place—all while outreach

Wedgemount Lake. Good said trailers and other accommodations had remained for months—and in some cases, years— raising concerns about rubbish and sewage disposal. “As the years go by the problem has become worse,” he wrote. “This is a problem that won’t go away and as word gets around more caravans are coming.” At the Jan. 28 board meeting, SLRD

“As the years go by the problem has become worse. This is a problem that won’t go away and as word gets around more caravans are coming.” - RICHARD GOOD

workers warn removing a camp doesn’t solve the underlying issues at play.

‘A PROBLEM THAT WON’T GO AWAY’

The issue reached the SLRD board in January, when WedgeWoods resident and strata president Richard Good wrote directors about long-standing camps south of the development, including along local FSRs near the trailhead for

chair Jen Ford said the concern stretched beyond WedgeWoods. “This is ongoing advocacy that our board has been doing with the Ministry of Forests, with the ministry responsible for Conservation Service, and with other ministries, just regarding the ongoing long-term camping living situation at the forest service roads,” she said. “All of our forest service roads have been challenged with long-term living.”

Directors raised concerns about waste, wildfire, wildlife and environmental damage, while repeatedly returning to the limits of the regional district’s authority. “There’s not a lot beyond that in terms of our own enforcement,” said Pemberton Mayor Mike Richman. In March, the SLRD formally asked the province for stronger enforcement of the 14-consecutive-day camping limit on Crown land. It identified Anderson Lake, the Squamish Valley, WedgeWoods and Wedge FSR and Cheakamus Lake FSR as areas of concern. The letter cited reports of unauthorized structures, campfires during bans, unsafe storage of flammable materials, target shooting and abandoned vehicles.

CAMPS REFLECT WIDER HOUSING PRESSURES

The province says people living at those sites do not fall into a single category. In a July response to the SLRD, forests minister Ravi Parmar said occupants included “a combination of people without stable housing and those who are transient or seasonal workers.” WCSS is seeing the same pressures. The organization supports people living long-term in vehicles, trailers and tents on Crown land, Coulter said. While WCSS can’t quantify how much

SEE PAGE 14 >>

NEWS WHISTLER

Marco Zunino pitches bigger-picture politics in bid for Whistler mayor WHISTLERITES HEAD TO THE POLLS OCT. 17

BY LUKE FAULKS MARCO ZUNINO thinks politics should do more than manage the problems immediately in front of it. The Whistler mayoral candidate describes governments as increasingly stuck in a “managerial phase of democracy”— responding to issues as they arise without offering residents a clear picture of where their community is heading. “It feels like we don’t have a vision of where we’re going anymore,” Zunino said. “If you know where we’re going and you can have a view on it, you can partake in that.” That desire to set a long-term direction underpins Zunino’s first run for office, centred on affordable housing, stronger community spaces and a sustainable economic and transportation strategy. “I want to come in really from a fresh perspective at a point when I think our community has really got some important questions to be looking at over the next few years,” he told Pique. “Let’s think a little bit differently.” Born in the U.K. to immigrant parents, Zunino is a Canadian citizen through his mother. He first came to Whistler for a ski season in 2014 and returned permanently in 2021. Before coming back, he spent nearly a decade at the Bank of England and completed a master’s degree in sustainable urbanism at University College London. Since 2022, he has worked as Arts Whistler’s finance and development manager and sits on the boards of the Whistler Valley Housing Society, Whistler Farmers’ Market and Recreate Our Community Kitchen Society.

HOUSING BEYOND THE EMPLOYEE MODEL

Housing is Zunino’s top stated priority, beginning with a municipal socialhousing policy designed to complement, rather than rep lace, Whistler’s employeehousing system. Zunino, himself a Whistler Housing Authority (WHA) renter, said the existing model has served the community well but can leave gaps for residents unable to meet employment requirements— including some single parents, caregivers and people supporting elderly relatives. “Employee housing is fantastic. It’s done a lot for this community, and I don’t want to take away from any of that good work,” he said. “But I think we need a complementary social housing policy that runs alongside WHA that can provide a safety net to capture these issues. “Let’s allocate those units according to the vulnerable needs assessment we already have,” he said, pointing to the needs-based model used by the Whistler Valley Housing Society. His housing and affordability plank

IN THE RUNNING Mayoral candidate Marco Zunino. PHOTO COURTESY OF MARCO ZUNINO

also proposes pursuing provincial authority for an empty-retail commercial property tax, alongside municipal changes aimed at making vacant storefronts easier to reuse or allowing for temporary “meanwhile uses” like pop-ups, as well as streamlined approvals when one business is replacing another similar use. “When you’re strolling around and you see empty shops around, it really undermines that vision of what this town was and what it should be,” Zunino said.

MORE PLACES FOR COMMUNITY

Zunino’s second pillar calls for a comprehensive community-spaces strategy to identify what facilities Whistler will need as its population changes. He pointed to the ongoing conflict over space involving the Whistler Waldorf School as an example of what can happen when needs are addressed only once groups are competing for limited facilities. Without planning, he said, “we’re just pitting two parts of our community against each other.” Zunino wants future amenity funding to support a broader range of community uses, including the “third spaces” where people gather outside home and work. “We need spaces for the elders to meet, for young kids to meet [so] that everybody in the community has a space to build, to meet, to socialize, and not be lonely,” he said. His platform also calls for dedicated funding for cultural partners to run regular movie screenings in existing venues after the closure of Village 8, alongside a broader arts, culture and heritage strategy aimed at coordinating local organizations and expanding Whistler’s tourism offering beyond outdoor recreation. “It’s an economic strategy more than anything else,” Zunino said. “It’s about diversifying our economy to provide not just the sports, but also really accentuating the great scene that does already exist here.” Zunino joins incumbent Jack Crompton and Brandon Smith on the ballot for mayor. Whistler voters head to the polls Oct. 17. Find the full story at piquenewsmagazine.com, and for more information, go to marco4mayor.ca. n

SEPTEMBER 11, 2026

NEWS WHISTLER << FROM PAGE 12 housing costs contribute, she said high prices and a lack of affordable options are clear factors. Those pressures are especially acute in Whistler. A 2022 municipal housing-needs report found the average market property was unaffordable to more than 90 per cent of local residents. In 2025, the living wage climbed to $29.60 an hour—the highest of 27 B.C. communities surveyed. Housing is the biggest expense in that calculation. In the Sea to Sky, the problem isn’t exclusive to Whistler. A 2025 Point-in-Time count in Squamish identified 125 people experiencing homelessness, up from 119 in 2023 and 107 in 2021. Of those counted, 101 were considered unsheltered, a category that included people staying in vehicles as well as sleeping outside and other temporary situations.

PROVINCE POINTS TO INSPECTIONS

Despite the SLRD’s calls for more oversight, the province says local FSR encampments are already being monitored. In July, Parmar said Natural Resource Officer Service staff had spent the previous year monitoring encampments in the Squamish Valley and along the Wedge and Cheakamus FSRs through site visits and work with other agencies. Officers have monitored wildfire

risk, unauthorized tree-cutting, waste and unapproved structures. Responses have included signage, education, inspections and “risk-based enforcement where appropriate.” Natural Resource Officers and Conservation Officers can also work with housing, poverty-reduction and law-enforcement agencies when needed, according to the Ministry of

tools,” the ministry said in an email.

‘ENFORCEMENT ALONE DOES NOT RESOLVE THE UNDERLYING ISSUE’

For WCSS, the problem becomes more complicated when someone is told to leave. Coulter said the organization works with people in those circumstances “fairly often,” helping them understand

“They’re everywhere, which is commentary on our availability of affordable housing.” - JEN FORD

Environment and Parks. The ministry told Pique inspections in the area “have not identified any significant fire hazards.” During an active wildfire season, the Ministry of Emergency Management and Climate Readiness said reaching people in remote or backcountry areas can also be a challenge. “Remote or backcountry areas can present additional challenges for emergency notification, as people in these locations may not be connected to standard local alerting systems, such as cell service or community notification

their options, access financial supports and plan what comes next. “When someone is asked to leave a campsite, they may not know where else they can go or what options are available to them,” Coulter said. “Our outreach team can act as a stepping stone, helping them understand their options, access available support and subsidies, and work toward developing a plan for what comes next.” WCSS has also worked with RCMP and bylaw officers when camps are displaced, helping with transportation, disposal of belongings and connections to services. The Society said housing is the No. 1 reason

for referrals and discussion at a weekly meeting WCSS co-hosts with RCMP, Victim Services and other providers. Still, immediate alternatives are limited. Under One Roof in Squamish is the closest year-round shelter, while WCSS operates an 18-bed Extreme Weather Response shelter at 8000 Nesters Road during cold or severe weather. Over the last two winters, it opened 43 nights and filled 269 beds for people in precarious housing, including those living in vehicles, tents and trailers. The Ministry of Housing acknowledged the broader shortage. “We know there’s an urgent need for more housing,” the ministry said, adding the province is working with communities to expand shelter and housing options. WCSS echoed the importance of that work. “[Enforcement] alone does not resolve the underlying issue when someone has nowhere else to go,” Coulter said. “More broadly, we need continued investment in affordable and supportive housing options throughout the Sea to Sky so that people have realistic alternatives when informal or precarious living situations are no longer possible.” After one director noted similar encampments were occurring across B.C., Ford agreed. “They’re everywhere,” she said, “which is commentary on our availability of affordable housing.” n

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NEWS WHISTLER

Whistler council candidate Mandy Rousseau to prioritize fiscal responsibility, destination stewardship and environmental protection ROUSSEAU IS A FORMER WHISTLER INSTITUTE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR AND BOARD MEMBER FOR SEVERAL LOCAL ENTITIES

BY DAVID SONG MANDY ROUSSEAU is campaigning for a spot on the Resort Municipality of Whistler (RMOW) council with three pillars in mind: fiscal responsibility, destination stewardship and environmental protection. According to her, elected officials need to make sure people can afford living in Whistler, and that the resort adapts to climate change. If she earns a seat, Rousseau hopes to bring about greater fiscal transparency in municipal hall’s budgeting process. She’d love to see more spaces and services accessible to Whistler’s 150odd non-profits while also recognizing that more is needed to improve Valley Trail safety. “From a governance standpoint, we can create working groups and committees that bring together different user groups, bylaw services and the RCMP to actually have a focus and come up with viable solutions that have input from the community,” Rousseau said about the latter. “Also thinking about bike rental companies and how we

educate our visitors in proper Valley Trail etiquette. I think the signage that was added last year has been great, and so we need to continue on that trajectory.” Rousseau believes in democracy’s process and has put her name forward to give citizens a fresh choice in who they vote for. The 37-year-old feels her presence and that of other first-time candidates can help avoid government stagnation.

‘I LIKE TO HEAR FROM PEOPLE EVEN IF WE DON’T AGREE ON SOMETHING’

A longtime Whistlerite who has also resided in Pemberton, Rousseau researched the 2010 Olympic Games on location while studying for her human geography degree from Queen’s University. She looks back on the convenience of hourly buses running between Whistler and Pemberton at that time and means to advocate for regional transit to the extent possible as a councillor. Rousseau began her governing career with a three-term stint on the Whistler Off-Road Cycling Association (WORCA) board. That inspired her to earn a nonprofit management certificate from Simon Fraser University before also

IN THE RUNNING Whistler council candidate Mandy Rousseau. PHOTO COURTESY OF MANDY ROUSSEAU

serving on the Whistler Library Board of Trustees, Pemberton Off-Road Cycling Association (PORCA) board, Whistler Children’s Chorus board and as executive director of the Whistler Institute. Now she’s a marketing analyst for Ecosign Mountain Resort Planners, a bike guide for Arbutus Routes and a ski instructor. These part-time roles give her

time to pursue council, which she deems to be giving back to her community “in the ultimate way.” Although Rousseau has her own pillars, she considers herself a good listener and means to learn as much as possible from current and former councillors—drinking from a fire hose, in her words. She’s not a fan of Facebook, but keen to engage with constituents via programs like Coffee with Council or informal meetups. “I like to hear from people even if we don’t agree on something,” said Rousseau. “To me, it’s an opportunity to learn. I do take time to digest and understand, but I really do appreciate it when somebody shares with me their perspective—and if it’s different from mine, it’s important that we challenge ourselves. [It’s very easy] to be siloed and find comfort and find confirmation bias, and I don’t want that in my governance experience. I think that we can be an agreeable group to affect positive change.” Contact Rousseau at 604-938-3760 or mandyforoffice@gmail.com. You can learn more about her at amsurousseau. wixsite.com/mandyforoffice. n

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SEPTEMBER 11, 2026

NEWS WHISTLER

Longtime Whistler resident John Blok names housing as key issue in council bid BLOK FAVOURS REWARDING GOOD LANDLORDS AND PENALIZING THOSE WHO ARE ‘UNFAIR IN THEIR PRACTICES OF RENTING’

BY DAVID SONG JOHN BLOK is 72 years old and if he were

to rest on his laurels, few would blame him. Instead he’s running for a seat on the Resort Municipality of Whistler (RMOW) council. Blok was president of the Whistler OffRoad Cycling Association (WORCA) for two years and feels the experience helped him network and gain insight into local politics. He’s also a former production manager for Pique Newsmagazine, a regular attendee of Whistler Community Church and a personal trainer for Whistler Core Climbing and Fitness. “I’ve always had an interest in, just like with WORCA, giving my time and my talents to the town that I love a lot,” he said. “I’m running because, well, for one, I think I have time. And for two, I have an interest in this town and where it’s going to go. We’re probably in for a couple of interesting years due to our friends down south and tariffs and tourism.” Blok moved to Whistler with his wife of 51 years, Grace, a quarter-century ago. In that time, he’s witnessed a perennial dearth of affordable housing that has led to more and more denizens

living in their vehicles. Every week he brushes shoulders with Core patrons who have memberships just to use the facility’s showers. “In some ways we are somewhat avoiding the answers to that [problem], but I think there are answers,” Blok said. “Housing concerns have always been a concern in Whistler for the whole 26 years we’ve lived here. As I watch the kids come to the gym and talk about their housing issues, and even people in our church with their housing issues, it’s a hard one to solve.” Although he believes the Whistler Housing Authority (WHA) is an asset, Blok didn’t mince words as he continued: “I think we also have a lot of slumlords: landlords that are in it just for the greed and for the money. I think it puts a dent in this town, and maybe every town has that. “But I think we should reward good landlords. We should track landlords and what people are renting … maybe rewarding those who offer fair prices and charge more taxes to those who are unfair in their practices of renting.”

VOLUNTEERS IN RESIDENCE

Blok’s lifelong pursuit of sport makes Whistler fit him like a glove. He snowboards and rides mountain bikes, being a veteran

everything in Whistler and lacks a strong personal agenda, Blok promises to adopt a problem-solving mindset towards key issues like housing, vehicle residency and fire safety. “The mountain uses a lot of volunteers. It allows people to have a pass for nothing or very little, and I think

“I think we should reward good landlords.” - JOHN BLOK

IN THE RUNNING Council candidate John Blok. PHOTO COURTESY OF JOHN BLOK

of now-defunct local races like Test of Metal and the Cheakamus Challenge. A longtime Whistler Triathlon Club member, he finished third in his age bracket at the 2019 XTERRA World Championship. Despite insisting that he likes almost

resident volunteers in the community would also be a good idea,” he remarked. “Volunteer firefighters, but also volunteers at cleaning garbage, probably some snow-clearing. I think taxes will go up because prices will go up as everything from the U.S. is very expensive, so we’re going to lose some benefits from that. Using residents as volunteers might be a good idea.” Blok can be reached at 604-698-8340 or bloks@telus.net. n

WHISTLER,

Come Celebrate With Us OUR LADY OF THE MOUNTAINS CATHOLIC CHURCH

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2026 We’re opening the doors of the new Our Lady of the Mountains Catholic Church and would love to share this special milestone with the Whistler community. Friends, neighbours, families and everyone in the community are warmly invited. Guided tours, refreshments and a chance to connect with friends and neighbours. All are welcome — please drop by and celebrate with us. 2:30–4:00 pm

Guided church tours

4:00–5:00 pm

Presentations

5:00–6:00 pm

Mass

6:00 pm

Community reception

Join us for all or any part of the celebration. If you’re simply curious to see the new church and meet your neighbours, we especially welcome you to attend the Community Reception starting at 6:00 pm.

www.olom.ca

16 SEPTEMBER 11, 2026

6299 LORIMER ROAD, WHISTLER

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NEWS WHISTLER

Bayly Park skate feature draws noise complaints, relocation request PODIUM RESIDENTS SAY THE NEW MINI RAMP HAS BROUGHT UNWELCOME NOISE AND WAS INSTALLED WITHOUT ADEQUATE NEIGHBOURHOOD NOTICE

BY LUKE FAULKS LIVING beside Bayly Park say a new skateboard feature has disrupted daily life with persistent noise, while raising questions about how the project reached construction without clearer neighbourhood consultation. In a July 13 letter and accompanying petition, residents of the 36-unit Podium building at 1025 Legacy Way said 18 units directly face the park, where the new mini ramp was installed earlier this summer. The group stressed it supports skateboarding and other recreation, but argues the structure is simply too close to homes. “Our request is not that the feature be eliminated, but that it be located somewhere it will not directly and continuously affect the daily life of 36 residential units,” the letter reads. The residents asked the Resort Municipality of Whistler (RMOW) to relocate the feature, provide documentation showing where it appeared during public consultation, confirm whether an acoustic assessment was completed and step up bylaw enforcement. RESIDENTS

Council received and referred the correspondence to staff Sept. 1, while councillors used the discussion to press staff about how the project was approved, how residents were notified and what may happen to the feature next.

RESIDENTS QUESTION NOISE, CONSULTATION

Residents said they had previously coexisted comfortably with Bayly Park’s BMX pump track, but the skateboard feature introduced a different noise profile from boards, trucks, rails and hard surfaces. Their letter describes noise beginning as early as 7:45 a.m. and continuing as late as 10 or 10:30 p.m., alongside music, profanity and alleged alcohol and cannabis use. Some residents reported being unable to comfortably open their windows or doors. The petition also points to SkateboardGB design guidance recommending at least 30 metres between a skatepark and residential property boundaries, with greater separation preferred from homes. General manager of climate and environment Dale Mikkelsen told council staff checked the distance using municipal

GIS and measured about 30 metres from the Podium building wall to the edge of the asphalt. He cautioned the cited British guidance is not an RMOW standard, but said such best practices could be considered during future planning. Councillor Cathy Jewett focused instead on notification. She noted construction signage at the park referenced bike improvements and tree planting, but not the skateboard feature. “I think that my concern is that that sign was never amended to show that this was coming, so that the people that live in the building that were directly affected did not have an opportunity to give any feedback until it was too late,” she said. Mikkelsen agreed the sign was not updated.

COUNCILLORS DEFEND PILOT, MASTER PLAN NEXT

Mikkelsen said council approved $25,000 in the 2026 budget for a skateboard facility at Bayly Park, while the project was also identified during an April Add Your Voice engagement event. The local skateboard coalition and construction companies contributed materials and funding, with the former BMX finish area chosen as a

practical location for a pilot project. He acknowledged the consultation process “was perhaps not ideal,” but said the pilot appears popular with residents of different ages. Bylaw officers have also responded at least once to complaints after permitted noise hours and asked users to leave. Several councillors defended the value of providing youth recreation. “Kids playing outside is a hill I will die on every day,” Coun. Jen Ford said. “I would rather them being able to be outside playing.” She said she supported staff getting creative with an underused space while remaining open to neighbourhood feedback. Coun. Jeff Murl similarly welcomed a skate option in Cheakamus Crossing, recalling having few legitimate places to skateboard himself as a youth. The longer-term answer could come through a Bayly Park master plan. Mikkelsen said staff intend to bring that process forward through the coming budget, with broader community consultation determining how the park’s growing collection of uses fit together— and potentially whether the skateboard feature stays where it is. n

WHISTLER’S 2026

ALL CANDIDATES MEETING

Maury Young Arts Centre Thursday, Sep 24

6:00 PM - 8:00 PM Free Admission (pre-registration required)

go.whistlerchamber.com/All-candidates Election day: Saturday, October 17 Advance voting: October 7 & 10 Find all the information you need to vote in the 2026 Municipal Election at Whistler.ca

IN PARTNERSHIP WITH

SEPTEMBER 11, 2026

NEWS WHISTLER

Woman attacked by bear near Whistler, says Conservation Officer Service CONSERVATION OFFICERS HAVE CLOSED TRAILS IN THE CALLAGHAN CONSERVANCY AFTER A GROUP OF HIKERS ENCOUNTERED TWO BEARS, RESULTING IN ONE WOMAN BEING INJURED

BY LIZ MCDONALD The Squamish Chief A WOMAN WAS ATTACKED by a bear

while hiking near Whistler on Friday evening, Sept. 4. The Conservation Officer Service (COS) said a group of three people were in the backcountry near Conflict Lake when the incident occurred. “At approximately 5 p.m., a group of three hikers encountered two bears near Conflict Lake, in the Callaghan Conservancy. A woman was attacked by one of the bears before it disengaged,” the COS said in a Facebook post. The Conservation Officer Service Predator Attack Team, Squamish RCMP and Squamish Search and Rescue flew by helicopter to the site. After completing a safety sweep, the COS found one adult bear and “dispatched” the animal due to safety concerns, they said. The woman was flown to hospital in non-life-threatening condition after receiving first aid on site. “Conservation officers are returning to the site today (Sept. 5) to continue

BEAR ATTACK The Conservation Officer Service is warning people to stay away from Conflict Lake near Whistler after a bear attacked a female hiker. PHOTO BY JENNIFER THUNCHER

their investigation. At this time, COS are unable to confirm whether a black bear or grizzly bear was involved in the attack,” they added. The trail is currently closed with signage in partnership with BC Parks, with agencies asking people to avoid the area for their own safety. “The (BC Conservation Officer Service) would like to thank its law enforcement and emergency responder

partners for their assistance. An update will be provided once the BCCOS is in a position to do so,” the COS said. BC Emergency Health Services said in a statement that two ambulances responded to a call for the incident and transported one person to hospital in stable condition. Nils Robinson was the task manager for Squamish SAR. “When we plotted it, we realized that it

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was actually in the Whistler area. However, after reaching out to Whistler SAR, they and we agreed that we would respond because we already had both a helicopter and members available,” he said. “We put together a team of two SAR members and brought in a conservation officer, and sent them in a (helicopter) into the area,” Robinson said. “When they arrived, they were able to see the people and the injured person, and fortunately able to land right where they were. They treated the subject whilst the conservation officers kept an eye out for the bear, and after treating them, she was transported back to Squamish Airport to be handed over to EHS.” The other two people on site were OK, and flown out with a member of Squamish SAR before being brought to their vehicles, Robinson said. Anyone heading out into the backcountry is reminded to take precautions. “Definitely have a means of communication. Be aware of the terrain you’re getting into and what the hazards are, and that can include bears as well as weather. If something happens, call early, get out an SOS (on a satellite device) or call 911,” Robinson said. n

NEWS WHISTLER

Whistler’s first Parkinson SuperWalk heads to Lost Lake on Sept. 13 THE INAUGURAL COMMUNITY WALK WILL OFFER TWO- AND FIVEKILOMETRE ROUTES WHILE RAISING MONEY FOR PARKINSON SOCIETY BRITISH COLUMBIA

BY LUKE FAULKS join communities across British Columbia this month for Parkinson SuperWalk, with a new grassroots event at Lost Lake raising money and awareness for people affected by Parkinson’s disease. The Sept. 13 walk will meet at 9 a.m. at the Lost Lake PassivHaus before heading onto the surrounding trail network. Participants can choose either a roughly two-kilometre out-and-back route or a five-kilometre loop, both using the wider, non-technical Tin Pants trail. “It’s not a race. It’s a community walk,” said organizer Mike Varrin. Kids and dogs are welcome, and physiotherapist Susie Douglas is expected to lead participants through a warm-up before the walk. Organizers also plan to have speakers and Parkinson’s information available at the event. The Whistler gathering is a new addition to a much longer-running tradition. Parkinson Society British Columbia (PSBC) is marking the 36th annual Parkinson SuperWalk this year, with events in more than 10 communities across the province. Larger walks, including Vancouver’s event, have brought people living with Parkinson’s, their families, friends and supporters together for decades while raising money for education, support programs, advocacy and research. Parkinson’s is a progressive neurological disorder that affects movement and can also cause a wide range of non-motor symptoms, including changes to mood, sleep and cognition. WHISTLER WILL

A WHISTLER WALK COMES TOGETHER IN 48 HOURS

Thanks to the power of local connections, Whistler’s version of the Superwalk came together quickly. Varrin had recently raised about $6,800 through a separate Parkinson Canada movement challenge, when he began talking with local connections about doing something closer to home. Those conversations quickly connected Varrin with Audra Williams. “I was actually willing to drive to Kelowna just to participate in [their Superwalk], and then they came up with the idea of doing one right in town,” Williams recalled. “I like things a little bit more grassroots,” I just thought, ‘Oh my god, in our own backyard with our fantastic trails.’” Jim Budge happened to be out for a trail run at Lost Lake when Varrin and Williams went to check out the route, and the three

crossed paths at the trailhead. Within roughly 48 hours of the first conversation, the Whistler SuperWalk team had formed. That local focus has remained central to the event. A fundraising barbecue at Nesters Market, including matching support from the grocery store, generated about $5,000, while another roughly $1,500 had already been raised through the Whistler SuperWalk page at the time of the interview. “It’s communities taking care of communities,” Varrin said, repeating a phrase he heard during the Nesters fundraiser. Money raised through SuperWalk supports PSBC, which provides education, counselling, health-care navigation, community programming and advocacy, while also investing in Parkinson’s research. More than 17,500 British Columbians are living with Parkinson’s. Nationally, Parkinson Canada now estimates more than 120,000 Canadians live with the disease, a figure projected to reach roughly 150,000 by 2034. The charitable organization describes Parkinson’s as the world’s fastestgrowing neurological condition.

RB C WHISTLER The RBC GranFondo Whistler is back and better than ever, with just over 5500 cyclists joining us this year on the Sea to Sky Highway as part of their journey from Vancouver to Whistler! Date: Saturday, September 12th, 2026 Duration of Impacts: 5:30am to 4:00pm

60km/h on the Sea to Sky Highway

Parking Lot 4 will be closed from Sep. 4th at 5:00pm to Sep. 7th at 5:00pm

Plan for longer travel times or avoid Highway 99 if possible

Expect some road closures and detours, including Blackcomb Way and Lorimer Road

Single lane traﬃc in both directions

For more information, please visit september6.info

‘GREATER COMPASSION’

For the Whistler organizers, however, fundraising is only part of the goal. Williams, who was diagnosed at 47, said greater awareness can help reduce assumptions about a disease whose symptoms can vary substantially from one person to another. She described being self-conscious when changes in her movement become visible in public. “When I walk, sometimes I look like I’ve had five margaritas—and I do like a good margarita,” she said. “When things are off, I do a swagger [so] I’m quite selfconscious walking, especially because I know so many people in the community.” Varrin said some of the hardest symptoms are often the ones other people cannot see, including anxiety, depression, apathy and cognitive challenges. “That’s the part about Parkinson’s— it’s sometimes the Parkinson’s you don’t see,” he said. “People say, ‘Hey, you look great.’ And in my head it’s, ‘Thanks—I wish I felt better.’” Williams put the broader goal more simply: that “greater understanding and awareness of Parkinson’s ultimately will lead to greater compassion and less judgment.” Participants can register or donate through Parkinson Society British Columbia’s SuperWalk website at parkinson.bc.ca/superwalk, where the Whistler group can be found under “Whistler Superwalk 2026.” Donations remain open until Sept. 30. n

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SEPTEMBER 11, 2026

NEWS PEMBERTON

Pemberton per-capita water use more than double Canadian average, according to 2025 report STAFF SAY UNIVERSAL METERING AND INFRASTRUCTURE UPGRADES COULD HELP REDUCE DEMAND AND IMPROVE WATER QUALITY

BY LUKE FAULKS RESIDENTS and commercial properties are using more than twice amount of water as the Canadian municipal per-capita average—a gap the Village hopes universal metering, conservation measures and infrastructure upgrades will help close. On July 14, director of engineering and public works Tom Csima told council the broader trend is encouraging, particularly as Pemberton grows. “I think that’s a good thing that we’ve actually reduced our overall usage over the last couple of years compared to five years ago,” he said, attributing some of that drop to conservation work and leak repairs. “But if we look at that in terms of per-capita, [it’s] around 550 litres per person per day,” Csima added. “That’s more than double the Canadian average of about 250 litres per person per day.” Per the 2025 water usage report, Pemberton used about 690,273 cubic metres of water in 2025, up four per cent from 663,798 cubic metres in 2024, but still below the roughly 749,000 cubic metres consumed in both 2022 and 2023. Average flow came in at 21.89 litres per second last year, compared with 21.05 L/s in 2024 and 23.75 L/s in 2023. Those figures include commercial water use and rely on census population estimates, Csima cautioned, rather PEMBERTON

IRRIGATION IRRITATION Pemberton’s peak water usage reached 4,214 cubic metres on July 31, 2025. PHOTO BY SEREGRAFF / ISTOCK / GETTY IMAGES PLUS

20 SEPTEMBER 11, 2026

than representing household-only consumption. Still, he said they show “a high potential for us to continue to reduce our water use.” The figures landed alongside a smaller but related question: whether to spend roughly $33,000 getting a permanent water connection to Henry Park, where trees have died and the Village has recently relied on a neighbouring homeowner’s hose to keep the lawn and landscaping alive.

SUMMER DEMAND LEAVES ROOM FOR CONSERVATION

Pemberton’s peak water use continues to come during the summer. The Village’s highest-use day in 2025 was July 31, when consumption reached 4,214 cubic metres; its lowest was Dec. 8, at 780 cubic metres. The Village report notes demand on the highest-use days can reach roughly five times its winter lows, pointing particularly to outdoor summer consumption as an opportunity for conservation. Despite the high usage stats, staff say the community is not currently bumping up against its estimated water supply limit. The Village uses an estimated sustainable aquifer recharge rate of about 30 L/s, compared with the 2025 average usage of 21.89 L/s. A more recent hydrogeological assessment also found Pemberton’s wells have capacity exceeding projected demand through 2040, though Vancouver Coastal Health still recommends exploring supplementary sources to strengthen longterm water security. One major conservation effort is already well underway. In 2025, Pemberton received $4.75

million through B.C.’s Water Meter Pilot Project to install meters on residential, commercial and industrial services. As of June, roughly 90 per cent had been installed. The next phase will analyze usage and utility rates, with the Village eventually expecting to move toward meter-based billing. Csima said staff anticipate “a significant reduction in water use” as the program, public education and other conservation efforts take hold. Vancouver Coastal Health continues to recommend residents flush cold-water taps that have sat unused for six hours or longer before drinking or cooking with the water, particularly as a precaution against lead leaching from household plumbing. On water quality, all bacteriological samples cited in the annual report were negative for E. coli. Manganese remains another focus. Testing found source-water manganese frequently exceeded aesthetic guidelines, while Well No. 2 periodically exceeded the maximum acceptable concentration. Treated water also exceeded that maximum on at least one occasion in 2025. The Village is building a new treatment plant to address elevated manganese and iron, with commissioning expected in 2027. “We’re really excited to eventually filter all of our water so that we can remove the manganese and iron that’s currently in it,” Csima said.

COUNCIL BACKS WATER CONNECTION AT HENRY PARK

Against that broader push to conserve water, council also grappled with how much it should spend to keep one municipal park green.

The irrigation system for Henry Park, located at 2040 Tiyata Boulevard, was originally connected to an adjacent vacant lot. But when that property was developed, the park lost its connection and went without irrigation through the 2024 and 2025 summers. Staff said some trees died as a result. This June, neighbouring residents agreed to let the Village temporarily connect hoses and sprinklers to their outdoor tap. The developer had informally committed several times to install a dedicated service, but the work was never secured in the original development agreement, leaving the Village with no mechanism to compel it. A permanent connection requires trenching across the roadway and restoring pavement, pushing the estimated cost above $30,000. Council ultimately agreed to fund the work through the Canada CommunityBuilding Fund. The decision prompted a wider discussion about whether full-sun lawns are the right model for future parks as drought pressures increase. “I feel like we need to move forward to ensure that it is adequately irrigated in perpetuity,” Councillor Katrina Nightingale said. “[But] planting lawns in full-sun spaces is maybe not the best kind of park that we want to be building.” Coun. Laura Ramsden supported the expenditure, saying it was unfair to keep relying on neighbours and arguing usable green spaces will become more important as Pemberton densifies. “I would not necessarily want to see our community parks just be covered in rock because then it’s not a space that people can really enjoy,” she said. n

T E R R Y F OX RUN FOR CA N C E R RESEARCH SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 20

Mary Ann MacDonald Birthdate Aug 29, 2026

Mary Ann MacDonald was born in Woodstock, New Brunswick in 1954 to John Donald MacDonald and Freda Margaret “Maggie” MacDonald (nee Christie). Her childhood took her to several parts of Canada, including Westville, Nova Scotia and Kincardine, Goderich and Windsor, Ontario. She earned her undergraduate and Masters degrees in Social Work from the University of Windsor and went on to complete a PhD in Psychology at the University of British Columbia.

REGISTRATION | 9:00AM RUN FOR A CAUSE | 11:00AM FOUR SEASONS RESORT WHISTLER 4591 BLACKCOMB WAY WHISTLER, BC

Notice of Proposed Zoning Amendment Bylaw - No Public Hearing to be Held Zoning And Parking Amendment Bylaw (Social and Supportive Housing on CLBA Lands) No. 2536, 2026 (the “proposed bylaw”) Purpose: The purpose of the proposed bylaw is to change the Residential Multiple – Comprehensive Development Two (RM-CD2) zone and Athlete Centre Three (AC3) zone to add ‘Apartments for Supportive Housing’ as an allowable land use in addition to the already permitted Employee Housing Use. The Bylaw also proposes to add a deﬁnition of Supportive Housing and Social Service Agency to Part 2 (Interpretations) of Zoning and Parking Bylaw No. 303, 2015. “Supportive Housing” means a type of housing that provides onsite supports and services to residents who cannot live independently. The relevant housing agreements will be updated to align with the zoning amendment. Subject Land: The lands that are the subject of the proposed bylaw are shown on the map attached to this notice, and are legally described as LOT A DISTRICT LOT 8073 GROUP 1 NEW WESTMINSTER DISTRICT PLAN EPP125575 (1400 Mount Fee Road) and LOT 2 DISTRICT LOT 8073 NEW WESTMINSTER DISTRICT GROUP 1 PLAN XXXXXX (1100 Legacy Way). Bylaw Readings: Consideration of the ﬁrst, second, and third reading(s) of the proposed bylaw will be at the Regular Council Meeting on September 22, 2026. To learn more: A copy of the proposed Bylaw and background documentation are available for review from September 7 to September 22, 2026 at: • Municipal Hall at 4325 Blackcomb Way, Whistler, BC, during regular office hours of 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday to Friday (statutory holidays excluded) • Online on the Resort Municipality of Whistler (RMOW) website at: whistler.ca/publicnotices

Mary was a highly intelligent and thoughtful person, with a spirit rooted in kindness and generosity. She lived a life marked by curiosity, intelligence, humour, adventure, and an abiding fascination with the world around her. She had an unusual ability to look closely at something, be it a bird, a plant, a landscape, or a person, and see something that others might miss. And, she had a remarkable gift for turning what she observed into stories, poems and reflections about what it means to be human. Mary was a prolific poet and an insightful writer of prose. However, writing was not merely an occupation or an accomplishment for Mary, it was a process that helped her to comprehend the world around her. She wrote poetry for ballet and public art, with her work appearing in Room Magazine and Pique NewsMagazine (Pique). Her chapbook, Going In Now, was published in 2014, while her collection of short stories, The Crooked Thing, was published in 2020. She also wrote the libretto for the opera, Siddhartha, that was composed by her brother, Peter. She was a member of the Vicious Circle Writers Group, a community of writers and friends that became an important part of her creative life. She was also a member of the board for the Whistler Writing Society, as well as serving as the curator and moderator for the poetry events at their annual Festival. She wrote extensively for Whistler’s Pique, often on subjects such as bird watching and gardening that challenged her to expand her knowledge and understanding. However, her articles were never simply about birds or gardens; Mary used the natural world as a gateway into larger questions about learning, change, resilience and human nature. Mary leaves behind writing that will continue to speak for her. The Vicious Circle Writers Group has committed to facilitating posthumous publication of her novel Where Is Palopo, inspired by the challenging lives of her husband’s (Ray Muller) grandparents. Her collection of 44 poems, How To Be a Bird, is also slated for posthumous publication. These works will allow her voice, imagination, and distinctive way of seeing the world to continue beyond her lifetime. Mary’s final article, slated for publication in the Pique, may have been the most revealing of all. Remarkably, Mary was still working on it the day before she passed. Even as her life was drawing to its close, she was engaged in the work that had occupied and nourished her for so many years: observing, thinking, making connections, and finding the words to express what she saw. In that article, Mary wrote about the seasons of a garden and saw them as a reflection of the stages of her own life and her journey with cancer. Spring, summer, autumn and winter became more than seasons. They became a way of thinking about growth, wholeness, change, decline, and, ultimately, letting go. One of the songs she loved most was Bruce Cockburn’s All the Diamonds in the World, whose imagery of wind, sunlight and the sea seems particularly appropriate for someone who found so much meaning in the natural world. For her family, Mary Ann will be remembered for much more than her degrees, books and literary accomplishments. She will be remembered in photographs from hikes (which usually included one or more of her Westies), in conversations that wandered into unexpected territory, in laughter, in travel stories, in gardens, and in the changing seasons. She will be remembered as a sister who could challenge you, amuse you, frustrate you, and surprise you. Bruce Cockburn’s The Whole Night Sky encapsulates how we feel about our loss: “See my tears, they fill the whole night sky…the whole night sky.” Mary’s life was complicated, creative, funny, searching, and full of words. And, it was unmistakably her own.

SCAN THE QR CODE FOR A COPY OF THE PROPOSED BYLAW AND BACKGROUND DOCUMENTATION

Mary passed peacefully on August 29, 2026, at St. John’s Hospice in Vancouver, surrounded by some of her closest friends. Mary is survived by her kind and caring husband, Dr. Ray Muller; by her Mother Maggie; by her siblings David, Robert “J.R.”, Margaret “Maggy,” Don, and Angus; and, by her nieces Heather, Madelline, Gabrielle, and Simona and nephews Charlie, Geordie and John. She was predeceased by her brother Peter.

SEPTEMBER 11, 2026

THE OUTSIDER

Ride it like Boost Bro JACKSON GOLDSTONE doesn’t need

much of an introduction around here anymore, but I’ll give him one anyway. He’s now a back-to-back UCI Downhill World Champion, the first rider in history to win five World Cups and the world title

BY VINCE SHULEY in the same season, and a kid who grew up down the highway in Squamish and riding the Whistler Mountain Bike Park at every opportunity. With that impressive record, he can confidently claim he’s the fastest downhill mountain biker on the planet. Goldstone still goes by his childhood pseudonym Boost Bro, which he earned (long before e-bikes were a thing) by hitting jumps bigger—and with more style—than most riders in the bike park. The kid has always had talent, but it was the bike park repetition (practise, practise, practise) that made him so fast and confident in hitting the biggest jumps, all before his voice broke. One of the things I’ve learned about

NEED A BOOST? Jackson Goldstone ripping it up. PHOTO BY KAROLINA KRASINSKA/RED BULL CONTENT POOL

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sports in Whistler is that there’s always someone better than you. In mountain biking, there will always be riders fitter than me, faster than me, and more fearless than me. I’ll never whip it like Boost Bro, but that doesn’t mean I can’t have my own small victories in this place. Last week, in the final evenings of riding in the bike park, I hit the Dwayne Johnson feature for the first time in probably five years. Named after “The Rock” himself, Dwayne Johnson is a rather large boulder with an even larger

on my own a lot. Even though I had hit it several times in years past, Dwayne Johnson was not a feature I wanted to hit just because I was feeling cocksure. I needed a tow-in, another rider I trusted to follow and who knew the right speed. I ran into just the guy in the Fitz Chair lift line. A downhill racer I’d ridden with before (who is obviously way faster than I am) named Tim, was more than happy to show me the speed. After I landed what was one of the fastest jumps I’d ever hit in the bike

One of the things I’ve learned about sports in Whistler is that there’s always someone better than you. step-down drop on it, requiring enough speed to clear the transition. That’s actually the easier part. Getting to the rock itself requires a full-speed approach from the Lower Whistler Downhill fade-away (a long, steep ramp), then steering your bike into a low, gradually-turning berm, which rockets you into a step-up gap jump. The strategy for this feature has always been the same. No braking after the fade away, and you’ll have enough speed to clear it. That’s the scary part. With my schedule, I ride the park

park, I let out a loud “Yewwwww!” Upon hearing my celebration, Tim pumped a fist in the air without looking back. We hit the rock step down with perfect speed for another smooth landing, and I pulled up to him at the trail junction, frothing. I felt 10 years younger. That’s the magic of the Whistler Bike Park. On the chair lift ride back up for another lap, my other friend (who is also quite a skilled rider) commented that he only rides bike park about once a month these days, and he’s just not used to the

speeds that the advanced Whistler Bike Park jump trails demand. “The Whistler Bike Park is a different sport,” said Tim. The rest of us agreed. Balance, cornering, braking… these are all skills needed to mountain bike anywhere. But nowhere else do you move at the same velocity on trails that are open for anyone (with a lift ticket) to ride. While my boosting may have peaked for 2026, there are two big events where you can see the Boost Bro himself in his element, and hopefully take the win. World Cup Downhill comes to Whistler Sept. 26 and 27, with riders hurtling down Creekside’s 1199 track. I don’t often hangout trackside for races, but this is one I will not miss. A few weeks later the biggest (and probably fastest) jump race in the world, Red Bull Hardline, takes place on Oct. 16 and 17 on Cypress Mountain on Vancouver’s North Shore. It’s a course Goldstone helped design with input from fellow Canadian World Cup winner (and Boost Gal) Gracey Hemstreet. Having only ever seen the Hardline racing on Red Bull TV and YouTube, I want to witness the scale of these jumps, and the speeds the riders hit them, in real life. By spectating some boosting this fall, I’m already getting inspired to ride like Boost Bro next season. Vince Shuley is ready for the World Cup. For questions, comments or suggestions for The Outsider, email vince.shuley@gmail. com or Instagram @whis_vince. n

OPINION

Time running out for CentreBC, Milobar’s new party to find common ground BY ROB SHAW THE LEADERS OF CENTREBC and the “Peter Party” of five MLAs are both vowing to push forward as alternatives to the BC Conservatives, even as, on paper at least, they look like basically the same political offering. CentreBC has 25 candidates identified for the next election, a fully functioning and registered party apparatus, and a candidate in the ongoing Abbotsford-Mission byelection. But the party led by Peter Milobar now has five MLAs, a platform in the legislature and a steady source of funding from its elected officials. Both say they want to offer a moderate home for voters disaffected by Conservative Leader Kerry-Lynne Findlay and her numerous controversies resulting from accumulating bad decisions. Neither, so far, is willing to fold their respective tents and merge with the other. CentreBC was first on the political field, created by ex-BC United MLA Karin Kirkpatrick in 2025 as an alternative to the BC Conservatives that was built around the traditional fiscal conservatism and social centrist positions that had elected the BC Liberal party to 16 years in power. “For now, nothing’s changed for us,” said ex-Liberal cabinet minister Mike Bernier, who took over as leader in July. “I will be honest: it makes it harder when you’ve got those sitting MLAs in the house with the Peter Party, because you know those are some of the ridings that we were holding back on, not looking for candidates, thinking we might work together. “I guess this tells me that that’s not going to happen, at least right now. But I think it’s going to have to happen eventually if we want to be successful as a group.” Milobar and Bernier served together in the BC United and BC Liberal opposition from 2017 to 2024. Milobar said he considers Bernier a friend, and CentreBC “well-meaning.” But when Ian Paton, Bruce Banman, Rosalyn Bird and Á’a:líya Warbus quit the Conservatives recently, they went with Milobar’s new party rather than Bernier’s. Milobar pointed to CentreBC’s name as a fundamental issue, failing to capture the intent or interest of voters. “I don’t know many people when you ask them, ‘Well, what’s your position on this?’ That they would say ‘centre,’” said Milobar. “It’s not that they use right or left labels either when they’re describing it, but you know, they rarely would say, ‘Well, I’m right in the middle of this issue, and that issue, and that issue,’ right? Because what does that even mean then?” The Milobar crew is waiting for

Elections BC to sign off on their name after the Sept. 26 byelection. The benefits of CentreBC already having party infrastructure had to be weighed against the benefits of starting something new, said Milobar. “Every MLA has a slightly different reason why,” Milobar said about not joining CentreBC. “Some feel they’re a little too left-tocentre. So, you know it was just felt that this is the cleaner way to go to reset that free enterprise coalition—the vaunted free enterprise coalition that right-ofcentre parties try to rally around to make sure that we can form government.” All of this has left the political landscape fractured. There are now four alternatives to the BC NDP on the right: CentreBC, the Peter Party, the BC Conservatives and the ultrafar-right OneBC party with lone MLA Dallas Brodie. OneBC is widely expected to eventually merge with the Conservatives. Brodie didn’t even field a candidate against Findlay in the byelection, instead wishing her “good luck.” And eventually, CentreBC and the Milobar crew will merge as well. “I think everybody is alive to the fact we can’t have two parties that are considered more of in that moderate space,” said Milobar. “It would be nice if [Bernier] and I then could look at how we could work together,” said Milobar. “But he’s been pretty blunt with me. He doesn’t want to work together right now, he wants to do his own thing. So, until that narrative changes, I think we’re going to keep doing what we’re doing.” Milobar cautions against former BC Liberals seeking to spring up a third centrist alternative party, after a highprofile meeting at a Vancouver White Spot last month (dubbed by Global BC’s Jordan Armstrong as the ‘Triple O Summit’.) “People all agree that you need MLAs to make this other vehicle work,” he said. “And that’s really what I’ve been trying to pull together here is to get to the point where everybody understands and agrees: OK, this is the vehicle. How we got there and who had input, when, and where, is irrelevant.” But there’s a lot of road left to travel, and multiple political vehicles now crowded for space. With Premier David Eby not ruling out a snap early election to take advantage of the chaos of his opponents, the centrist parties might not have as much time as they think to get on the same page. Rob Shaw has spent more than 18 years covering B.C. politics, now reporting for CHEK News and writing for BIV. He hosts the weekly show Political Capital and has a daily podcast, Political Capital Daily. rob@robshawnews.com n

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SEPTEMBER 11, 2026

FEATURE STORY

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FEATURE STORY

By Mary MacDonald I believe in gardens. If you have never been in my garden, let me give you a tour. Not long ago this backyard of mine was a mountain of dirt and I was like an apprentice baker with a bag of flour, sugar, baking soda and baking powder, but little or no idea how to mix the ingredients, and what was the difference between a butter tart, a Nanaimo bar, or a blueberry grunt? I discovered, complex as it is, gardening is knowable. And even better, everything you need to learn is on YouTube. It just requires good soil, sunlight, rain, a little mixing of this, and a vigilant eye. It doesn’t hurt to have a few handheld tools. And voila, you devote time, it gets a little addictive, and you learn the garden has its own rhythm and seasons. You can try too hard, you can make endless mistakes, but the seasons, that is the one thing not to be trifled with. Autumn belongs to getting the garden ready for winter. It is time for shifting down, preparing for winter when the garden rests. Though this is far from a stagnant time. The roots of plants will grow downward towards still-warm soil. Here is the natural world with all its innate knowledge, wind and leaves blow. I wonder if they are dancing? I remember last autumn, the sun gleaming through the windows, the last pruning that should have already been done. And who was singing in my garden: spotted towhee, barn swallows, pine siskin, downy woodpecker, and a black-capped chickadee. Don’t prune the hydrangeas, the birds will need the seeds all winter.

“My job is to say, I went to a place, and I tried to pay attention to what was going on in all its detail, and this is what I saw.” —Barry Lopez Life in the garden isn’t always about us, and what we want. My fingers had gone to my ribs, to a tiny bit of flesh not flush with the surrounding skin. When my gardener’s mind wanted to be thinking of bulbs, what I could be doing in my garden today, I became occupied with some small thing, most likely nothing, and not worthy of the distraction. Still, it was taking my breath away. It was not simple. A small uprising was the beginning of the cancer that would grow and spread and force me to know more deeply, that even here, in my small garden, was the circle of life, that could not be avoided. That life was changing and summer was indeed ending. Before long, it will be dark outside at 5 p.m. I will have covered my face with my hands, sobbing inconsolably, for a scan had found more tumours. But I don’t know this yet. What I see are leaves turning into their bright autumn colours, wistfully pirouetting across the earth. Birds are singing their last chattering before their long nocturnal flight south.

“Somehow not yet dead at the end of my journey—this autumn’s evening.” —Matsuo Bashō As a way of staying grounded, I started a gardening journal. A simple watercolour drawing added to a diary whenever I could see the garden going through

SEPTEMBER 11, 2026

its transformation, as I, too, was going through the changes to my body. The hope I carried on that first fall day, when I had been thinking about planting bulbs, and how I pushed grape hyacinth bulbs into the ground with the anticipation that beneath the soil, where to my eye it looked like nothing was happening, the bulbs were absorbing moisture and conserving their energy until spring when they would push up their heads as wee flowers, fully formed. I painted humble watercolours in my garden journal, nothing fancy. Modest impressions with a single thought, poetic or philosophical, intended to bring structure to the life unfolding outside in my garden and inside me. The images carried my hope, too. That by spring, I will have had that first tumour removed, and I, too, would be ready to flower and begin again. Back to the many things I held dear— visiting with friends, my long walks to see the herons at the lakeside, early mornings birding, catching a glimpse of coyotes travelling through the trees a little further ahead of me. Things I thought would last forever. Though now I was learning, the earth had its own rhythm. And mine would not last. Italian writer, Italo Calvino, in his book The Written World and the Unwritten World, hypothesized that we write to learn what we don’t know. It is not the

desire so much to teach others that makes us want to write but rather to capture a trace of the knowledge or wisdom that each of us touched in this life and might immediately lose. This describes my first fall day perfectly. The real world was multifaceted. I started noticing, the progress of my cancer was spinning across the ground with the autumn leaves. I trusted the pulse of my garden. I came from the soil, and I would return to the soil, and this big old world would go on without me.

“The garden is one of the two great metaphors for humanity. The garden is about life and beauty and the impermanence of all living things.” —Anne Lamott By December, the hellebores bloomed, their five petals hanging like little hats. They are the colour of jewels—jade, ruby, diamonds. Imagine the strength it takes to push up through the frozen winter soil? I am taken by the colour they have brought to the garden during the dormant winter months. I start my watercolour and something immediately strikes me. I know this little flower. I have been pushing up heavy things my whole life. I am guilty of making work look effortless. Sometimes even I forget that pushing and carrying isn’t easy. A trait that is often overlooked. Those of us that do heavy lifting in life are sensitive, too. I decide to give the hellebores their own page in my journal. I can’t explain what happens to me when spring arrives. I do a walkabout in my garden looking for new buds. What plants survived the winter, which ones did not survive? I can’t believe the plants that make it through the winter. How do they do it? I am, of course, delighted to see buds emerging on the pussy willow shrub (Salix), bleeding hearts, pieris

26 SEPTEMBER 11, 2026

japonica, skimmia, and heather. Then I get greedy, I want everything to survive. My jasmine looks dead, shrivelled. Could I have mulched better last fall? Though we did have one of those Pacific Northwest winters—mild, then snow, mild again and more snow, and why it was a surprise, but even a third snowfall and cold overnight temperatures. Not the best growing conditions for a fragrant flowering plant suited to Tunisia. But here it is April and I find myself lifting handfuls of dead leaves to cover over the exposed roots. Even now, I have not given up. The hardiness of other plants I do not know yet— lilacs, Rhododendrons, Azaleas, clematis, astilbe, lavender, campanula, hydrangea, hardy fuchsia, and roses. They are all late bloomers. Fingers crossed for the wisteria that I have planted in its third spot in my garden, south-facing, against the east wall of the garage, and finally last year, not convinced I was ready to give up on it, I moved it to the thin space between my house and my neighbour’s house. A ridiculous site, barely three feet wide, with nothing but midday light. But wouldn’t it be nice to see the greenery out my kitchen window? Today it looks like a dried-out piece of straw. I gave up on alliums last year. They are winners in some gardens I pass by on my walks, but not mine. They flop over like a sail in irons, no wind, no explanation, and no

FEATURE STORY progress to be made. Part of gardening is accepting we can’t control everything. True for cancer, too. My sorrow will be with the jasmine. This is the roiling mind of a backyard gardener.

“To live in this world you must be able to do three things: to love what is mortal; to hold it against your bones knowing your own life depends on it; and, when the time comes to

let it go, to let it go.” —Mary Oliver Summer in my garden is how I know I’m alive. The plants I worried about: the campanula that seemed to arrive later than usual, the clematis I always fret over as I view it as fragile, the astilbe which looks more delicate than it is, although I fear the puppy has peed on it more than a few times. They are all blooming with resilience. The plants I am confident will flourish, the hydrangea, the roses, if I do absolutely nothing at all look strong. The hardy fuchsia I believe owe a debt of some sort to the hummingbirds. They have a thing going where they just show up and I get out of the way. And it’s almost impossible to believe, but there is a great blue heron standing on the roof of my garage. Summer is at its apex. It has not been easy, but even I might survive to witness another summer. But autumn arrives, as it always does. The wheels turn and rain comes unrelenting. Fewer birds every morning. Flowers start to droop. Time for mulching and putting the garden to rest. The goodbye has arrived. As I, too, am flagging. The chemotherapy is not working and cancer is having its way with me. I am swimming upstream as the salmon know exactly what to do in their final season. The garden for me has been a daily looking glass for who I am as a human, for this magnificent earth, for how I observe, encounter, and find my place

within the natural world. I have learned I am merely one among many, and I am passing through. Mary MacDonald passed peacefully on Aug. 29 at St. John’s Hospice in Vancouver, surrounded by some of her closest friends. Her words, like her garden, will keep blooming. n

SEPTEMBER 11, 2026

SPORTS THE SCORE

Tegan Cruz second overall in 2026 King of Crankworx duel CRUZ WINS DOWNHILL AND DUAL SLALOM IN MONT-SAINTE-ANNE, RYAN GILCHRIST LOCKS DOWN THIRD STRAIGHT KING TITLE

BY DAVID SONG HE MADE THINGS very interesting, but for the second straight year Tegan Cruz will have to settle for runner-up position in the King of Crankworx battle. Cruz put his best foot forward at the world tour finale in Mont-Sainte-Anne, Que. last week, striking gold in both downhill and dual slalom. The Pembertonian also notched silver in Air DH to aggregate a total of 1056 season points. Yet Ryan Gilchrist (1118) maintained a slim 62-point lead to defend his crown for an astonishing third straight year. Ending up a very distant third overall was Tristan Lemire (508). “What a season that was,” Cruz wrote on social media. “Five stops, 16 races, 11 podiums. An amazing finale here in Mont-Sainte-Anne, so cool to compete in Crankworx events at this legendary venue with an insane spectator turnout and some unreal tracks. Made for some great racing all weekend … can’t thank

TURN OF THE CRANK Tegan Cruz (bottom) faces Ryan Gilchrist in the 2026 Crankworx MontSainte-Anne dual slalom event. PHOTO BY CLINT TRAHAN

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everyone enough for all the support this season, from my team, sponsors, family and friends. Truly grateful.” Meanwhile, Jordy Scott took advantage of absences by Jenna Hastings and Sabina Košárková to come from behind for her second Queen of Crankworx title in as many years (693). Isla O’Connor wasn’t far behind (512) and downhill specialist

“Went into this season planning to be content with a podium in the overall with how hectic my life is right now, being an athlete and grad student full time, so I am very, very happy to have pulled this one off and defended my title from last year. Could not have done this without the support of my amazing sponsors, friends, and family!”

“[S]o cool to compete in Crankworx events at this legendary venue with an insane spectator turnout...” - TEGAN CRUZ

Mille Johnset emerged for a surprise thirdoverall result (500). “Back to back, baby!” Scott quipped via Instagram. “Absolutely insane day [on Sunday] with double racing action going down after a super physical few days of DH. Pedaled so much and managed to pull the win in Air DH—first time for me—and secured the Queen title with that. Then spent the afternoon figuring out and having some mega close racing a gnarly slalom track where I was able to grab the gold again!

AFTER-ACTION REPORT

Cruz’s latest Quebec foray began on Sept. 5, when he reached the line in three minutes and 26.220 seconds to edge out fellow Sea to Sky rider Dane Jewett (3:26.304) for a downhill victory. Lemire rounded out the podium (3:29.728) on a wild day that saw a banged-up Jake Polito spend time in the hot seat before getting bumped down to eighth. Gilchrist placed seventh, his worst outing of the weekend. The tables turned one day later when

Aussie phenom Gilchrist mastered MontSainte-Anne’s brand-new Air DH track (2:24.036) to sneak ahead of both Cruz (2:25.011) and Lemire (2:28.759). It all came down to Sept. 6’s dual slalom. Cruz vanquished two-time King of Crankworx Bas van Steenbergen in their semifinal bout, while Gilchrist also reached the big final by defeating Lemire. Both elites stared each other down and Gilchrist blinked first, crashing on Run No. 1 to open the door for Cruz’s triumph. Meanwhile, Lemire beat van Steenbergen for his third bronze medal in MontSainte-Anne. Ultimately, slalom silver was enough for Gilchrist to retain his kingdom. “I think rubbing shoulders with athletes from all walks, of all disciplines, is what makes the sport special,” he told Pique earlier this summer. “I think that’s part of what I’ve developed over the years: my ability to dip a toe into every pond imaginable, even beyond Crankworx. “But Crankworx is a great combination of all of the different events that I strive to succeed in. I think also just the faces that you see on circuit and the new people you meet, the culture everyone brings to the event … it’s what makes mountain biking special.” Visit crankworx.com/results for more Crankworx results from all across 2026. n

SPORTS THE SCORE

Registered Massage Therapy Acupuncture • Chiropractic Naturopathic Medicine Holistic Nutrition • Hypnotherapy

ALPINE ASCENSION Carter Krasny rides his mountain bike across an idyllic landscape. PHOTO BY COLE NELSON

‘It was honestly really nice to get back into the competitive mode’ WHISTLER’S CARTER KRASNY DISCUSSES HIS INVOLVEMENT IN SEASON 2 OF ULTIMATE MOUNTAIN ATHLETE PRESENTED BY OUTSIDE MAGAZINE

BY DAVID SONG CARTER KRASNY’S competitive mountain bike days are behind him… well, almost. Earlier this February, he was voted into Season 2 of Ultimate Mountain Athlete, an adventure competition show presented by Outside Magazine. The format tests participants with various challenges across skiing, climbing and mountain biking in an effort to determine who is the most well-rounded contestant. Krasny represented the Sea to Sky alongside Celeste Pomerantz of Squamish. Despite being “kind of bummed” to miss the initial cut, he was encouraged to learn that scores of people continued to support him—in fact, a show producer mentioned that he won the voting process by thousands of votes. “It was honestly really nice to get back into the competitive mode after pretty much, I would say a full year of … no international or big competitions,” said the 26-year-old. “Once you drop in, you just switch on and that’s what I do love about competing: you get really focused and dialed in and it brings the best out of you—also to compete in some different events that I don’t regularly do. I hadn’t done a ski competition since I was 14 years old.” Krasny’s skiing abilities are still nothing to scoff at, and he keeps up with friends who are on the Freeride World Tour. Climbing, a sport he’s fairly new to, was the real challenge, but it ended up being one of his favourite parts of the show.

DISCOVERING NEW LINES

Born and raised in Whistler’s mountains, Krasny took up the family pastimes of biking and skiing from a very early age. As a preteen and younger teenager he focused more on snow sports, cutting his teeth in moguls, halfpipe and slopestyle under the watchful eye of Freestyle

Whistler coaches. Krasny began transitioning into the competitive mountain bike world at about 14 years of age. Provincial enduro races led to a few seasons in the Canadian Enduro League, which then springboarded him into junior events at the Enduro World Series level. In 2024, he accomplished all of his major goals as an elite rider: multiple top-20 results and a top 30 in the men’s overall. At that point, unfavourable industry changes led to a downturn in professional enduro. Teams became more expensive to maintain and the discipline’s remote nature is hard to broadcast. Krasny also felt that the rebranded Enduro World Cup circuit was growing stale, in a manner of speaking. “Like in Val di Fassa, I think I raced there five times and the trails never really changed,” he recalled. “The whole reason I raced enduro was to ride new trails and go to new places, and it kind of started to be a European cup where there were only the same venues and I didn’t love that repetition. I really liked going and riding new stuff. “That’s kind of what led me into pursuing the freeride side of biking. Now my main focus is basically chasing and finding these lines that are kind of like skiing, but on your bike and nobody’s ever ridden them before—just going out into the middle of nowhere and finding cool stuff that’s potentially rideable.” Krasny feels his many years of competition have taught him discipline, which fosters the world-class fitness needed for demanding days of freeride and filmmaking in remote locations that are hard even to reach, let alone ride in. When he conquers a brand-new line, it feels just as rewarding as putting up a good race result. Speaking of results, visit outsideonline. com/outdoor-gear/cars-trucks/ultimatemountain-athlete-season-2 to watch Ultimate Mountain Athlete and find out how Krasny performed against a roster of worthy opponents. n

Whistler Village’s Integrative Health Clinic Direct Insurance Billing Available www.whistlerwellness.ca • 604-332-0752

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SEPTEMBER 11, 2026

EPICURIOUS

Kebab on Fire and its all-Halal menu enlivens a sleepy corner of Whistler Village THE RESTAURANT’S TURKISH-STYLE KEBAB HAS PROVEN A HIT WITH A DIVERSE CLIENTELE

BY BRANDON BARRETT IT’S A WARM Friday night in late August

and a usually sleepy corner of Whistler Village is alive with activity. A family pores over a menu, debating in Spanish about what to order. A boisterous table of Englishmen chatter about their favourite bike trails over steaming plates of spiced lamb. A young woman in a hijab holds hands with her partner as they wait for their meals to arrive. This is Kebab on Fire, tucked next to Shoppers Drug Mart on Blackcomb Way. Since opening in June, the shop has appeared to defy the same trend that has affected the carousel of restaurants and retail shops that have come and go in the same space. Launched by Alex Gunal and Ercin Karaca, Kebab on Fire opened its first location in Victoria two years ago, with another soon to open in Vancouver’s Olympic Village. A big part of the restaurant’s popularity has to do with its all-Halal menu. “It’s really hard to find certified Halal food in Canada,” said chef and

TASTE THE HEAT Priyank Rane, left, and Erkan Gurcan in front of Whistler’s all-Halal restaurant, Kebab on Fire. PHOTO COURTESY OF KEBAB ON FIRE

30 SEPTEMBER 11, 2026

partner, Carolina Espitia. “Besides the Australians who love kebab, our main customers are Muslim and the immigrants who leave their country and have a hard time finding food like this.” Immigrants themselves, Espitia works alongside her husband, Priyank Rane, after the two met cooking together on a cruise ship. Within two short weeks of Kebab on Fire opening in Whistler, co-owner Gunal, who had worked with the couple before at another restaurant, offered to make

Fire’s outdoor tables (plans are in the works to install a permanent, heated patio for the winter), Rane pops in and out of the kitchen to make sure everything is going smoothly. “We’re just here to make people happy with the concept and make ourselves happy, too, by the way we’re working,” Espitia said. Serving up freshmade kebab wraps and plates, the restaurant’s signature is its 10-hour roasted and sous-vide lamb, tender and rich in flavour from

“Besides the Australians who love kebab, our main customers are Muslim and the immigrants…” - CAROLINA ESPITIA

them partners in the business. “They are people who want to support others and bring them the opportunity to grow,” Espitia said of the owners. “I believe that supporting hardworking people is supporting my business as well,” Gunal said. Rane and Espitia’s passion for the food is self-evident. As we talk on a quiet afternoon at one of Kebab on

a mix of garlic, paprika, pepper and other secret spices. Kebab on Fire also serves a classic shawarma-style beefand-lamb kebab and a turmeric-spiced chicken kebab, both slow-cooked on a vertical rotisserie, and, for the vegetarians, a crispy-on-the-outside and fluffy-on-the-inside falafel. Gunal beams when talking about the restaurant’s pair of signature garlic sauces: a bold original and a

spicy version. “That garlic sauce made us famous,” he said. While its VIllage Green neighbour, Chubby Ducks, leans more towards the saucier Aussie-style kebab and loaded snack packs for the late-night crowd, Kebab on Fire offers what Rane described as a Turkish and Middle Eastern-inspired kebab, conceived by Gunal and his wife over cooking sessions in their home kitchen and through many years working in restaurants. “It’s authentic, but fusion,” Rane said. Asked what they think will set them apart in an area of the Village other businesses have struggled to make a go of, Espitia points to Kebab on Fire’s distinct concept, reasonable price point, and accessibility. “First of all, I feel the concept is unique, authentic,” she said. “I feel besides just being kebabs, it’s a place you can come late at night, and it’s affordable here … For those coming here [whose budget] is a little bit tight, they can afford this, too. And not just the tourists, but mostly for locals and the people working here, they don’t get time to cook at home how we do here. They can get something fast, easy, homemade fresh—and with love.” Kebab on Fire is open from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily. Learn more at kebabonfire.ca. n

MEADOW PARK SPORTS CENTRE SWIM • SKATE • SWEAT • SQUASH OPEN DAILY: 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. *some exceptions apply

FITNESS CLASS SCHEDULE SEPT 11 FRIDAY

I Box-HIIT 7:30-8:30 a.m. Kelsey

SEPT 12 SATURDAY

SEPT 13 SUNDAY

I Strength & Cardio 7:30-8:30 a.m. Lou

SEPT 14 MONDAY

SEPT 15 TUESDAY

SEPT 16 WEDNESDAY

SEPT 17 THURSDAY

R Small Group Training 6:30-7:15 a.m. Co-ed – Julia

R Elevate Training - Strength and Performance 6:15-7:15 a.m. Steve

R Small Group Training – Women’s only 7:30-8:15 a.m. Julia

R Small Group Training 7:30-8:15 a.m. Co-Ed – Steve

R Small Group Training – Women’s only 7:30-8:15 a.m. Julia

R Small Group Training 7:30-8:15 a.m. Co-Ed – Steve

I Mountain Ready Conditioning 7:30-8:30 a.m. Steve

I Functional Strength & Conditioning 7:30-8:30 a.m. Francesca

I Strength & Cardio 7:30-8:30 a.m. Sylvie

I Strength & Stability 7:30-8:30 a.m. Andy

R Elevate Training - Strength and Performance 6:15-7:15 a.m. Steve

R Small Group Training – Women’s only 8:30-9:15 a.m. Julia I Kettlebell Functional Fit 9-10 a.m. Kelsey

I Low Impact Strength 9-10 a.m. Lou

I Spin Mixer 9-10 a.m. Sylvie

I Zumba 10:30-11:30 a.m. Susie I Gentle Fit 12:30-1:30 p.m. Marie-Anne

F FLEXIBLE REGISTRATION

Flex-reg’ classes have a separate fee and allow you to register for classes on the days that fit your schedule.

I Strength & Stability 9-10 a.m. Francesca

I Zumba 10:30-11:30 a.m. Carmen

R Postpartum Core & Glutes 10:30-11:30 a.m. Sara

R Fit 4 Life 12:30-1:30 p.m. Steve

R Prenatal Fitness 12:15-1:15 p.m. Sara

R Youth on Weights 3:30-4:45 p.m.

F Power Yoga 1:30-2:20 p.m. Francesca

R REGISTERED FITNESS Registered fitness classes have a separate fee and a defined start and end date. Pre-registration is required for the entire set of classes.

R Stride Forward 5:30-6:30 p.m. Julia

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

I Build & Burn 9-10 a.m. Sylvie

I Low Impact Strength 9-10 a.m. Andy

R Mom & Baby 10:15-11:15 a.m. Sara

R Move, Mobilize & Reset 10:15-11:15 a.m. Lou

I Gentle Fit 12:30-1:30 p.m. Mel K

R Fit 4 Life 12:30-1:30 p.m. Steve

I Full Body HIIT 5:30-6:30 p.m. Andy

R Small Group Training – Women’s only 5:30-6:15 p.m. Julia

I Strength & Mobility 6:45-7:45 p.m. Julia

I Zumba 6:30-7:30 p.m. Andrea

POOL HOURS SEPT 11 FRIDAY

LAP POOL LEISURE POOL SAUNA & STEAMROOM

SEPT 12 SATURDAY

SEPT 13 SUNDAY

SEPT 14 MONDAY

SEPT 15 TUESDAY

SEPT 16 SEPT 17 WEDNESDAY THURSDAY

POOL AREA CLOSED SCHEDULED TO REOPEN SEPTEMBER 28 ARENA SCHEDULE

Please see whistler.ca/recreation for the daily arena hours or call 604-935- PLAY (7529).

whistler.ca/recreation |

@RMOWRecreation | 604-935-PLAY (7529)

ARTS SCENE

Celebrated magicians Travis Bernhardt, Nayana Fielkov and Ben Bisaillon headed to Whistler THE TRIO WILL PERFORM ON SEPT. 19 AT THE MAURY YOUNG ARTS CENTRE

BY DAVID SONG ASK TRAVIS BERNHARDT what he finds the most compelling about magic, and he’ll ponder the question at length. Magicians, like other entertainers, want their shows to be captivating. To achieve that goal, you need to learn tricks but you also must learn how to present them. Dedicated magicians consider the theatrical side of each program: how it comes across rather than simply if it works. “Magic can be a pretty good vehicle for exploring certain kinds of themes or certain kinds of theatrical flavours,” Bernhardt opines. “It’s more well suited to certain things than others, but a magic show can be more personal. It can be more theatrical, it can be funnier and more interesting than people might expect.” Bernhardt would know what he’s talking about, being an award-winning performer who since 2008 has toured from coast to coast. He also mentors other magicians, with his stuff featured in theatrical productions across Canada

TRICKY BUSINESS Vancouver magician Travis Bernhardt. PHOTO COURTESY OF ARTS WHISTLER

32 SEPTEMBER 11, 2026

and the United States, as well as famous programming like America’s Got Talent. Moreover, the East Vancouverite creates magic acts for film and television (most recently a Disney flick called Descendants: Wicked Wonderland). Comedian Dino Archie once labelled Bernhardt as “the hardest guy to follow in Vancouver,” and now he’s heading to Whistler alongside two other talents for a mid-September show: “Magic at the

hands-on approach to magic, working at the intersection of sleight of hand and cardistry. The Montreal native’s performances emphasize the possibilities presented by each deck, with techniques that have attracted attention within the international cardistry community. Bisaillon has also toured Canada with the one-person shows “Arts and Crafts for Grown-Ups” and “Something from Nothing.”

“Magic can be a pretty good vehicle for exploring certain kinds of themes...” - TRAVIS BERNHARDT

Maury Young.” Nayana Fielkov brings a multidisciplinary sensibility to the lineup, where magic intersects with clown, physical theatre, dance and comedy. Her performances weave together illusion and physical storytelling, drawing on past experiences as a co-creator of RAGMOP Theatre and a founding member of Vancouver’s Dusty Flowerpot Cabaret. Ben Bisaillon takes a precise,

FROM CLOWNS TO CARD TRICKS

Bernhardt has plenty of praise for both his stage partners. He’s a veteran of the improv comedy scene and once trained as a clown, which is how his path crossed with Fielkov’s. Eventually, Fielkov decided she wanted to delve more deeply into magic after incorporating bits and pieces of it into her clown shows. Bernhardt became her teacher, and now she’s an outstanding

hybrid artist whose “amazing” clown skills complement her growing repertoire of magic tricks. Bisaillon, meanwhile, is a fast-rising up-and-comer whose aptitude stood out to Bernhardt right away. “It was the first time I saw somebody in a long time and I was like, ‘oh, somebody who you can tell has done the reading, done the homework—somebody who cares, right?’” remarks Bernhardt. “You can tell by the material they choose and just the technique … you could tell Ben gave an [expletive] and that was really appealing to me so we became friends. I see all this potential where it’s just like, ‘oh my God, they’re going to be so good,’ but I think more importantly, they’re good today.” Bernhardt hopes that the upcoming Whistler show will demonstrate that magic can be a diverse and nuanced realm. He and his partners all bring various skills to the table, especially Fielkov who represents the traditionally underrepresented demographic of female magicians. Furthermore, Bernhardt feels that Whistlerites generally care about the arts and respond well to a myriad of different shows. “Magic at the Maury Young” takes place Sept. 19 at 7 p.m. Visit artswhistler. com/calendar/arts-whistler-live-presentsmagic for tickets and more details. n

ARTS SCENE

‘There’s no other film festival like it’ WHISTLER FILM FESTIVAL CHAIR ROB LARSON AND PREDECESSOR SUE BROUSE DISCUSS RUNNING THE EVENT THROUGH YEARS OF INDUSTRY CHALLENGES

BY DAVID SONG NEWLY-MINTED Whistler Film Festival

(WFF) board chair Rob Larson and outgoing chair Sue Brouse agree that the festival’s role—and one of its greatest strengths—is to be an incubator for new generations of storytellers. It’s an obvious vehicle for delivering movies to locals after Village 8 closed three years ago, but many who show up are also networking with producers, funding partners and industry experts to help get their own nascent films off the ground. Others are in need of a stage on which to share their work. People might come to watch a Hollywood blockbuster, but they might stay for some independent flicks or happen across a few mountain culture gems. Meanwhile, various talent development programs show aspiring filmmakers the ropes and the pipeline works: since 2001 approximately 1,944 movies have screened at the WFF with hundreds garnering critical acclaim. Larson intends fully to keep the momentum rolling in his new position. “Well, it’s a great honour,” he says about becoming chair. “The Whistler Film Festival means a lot to me and there’s no other film festival like it. It truly is the only film festival that highlights B.C. talent so well. I just want to build on the work that Sue and the board have done and I’m excited about working with [Josh Epstein], our new executive director. He’s awesome.” As a business agent for the Directors Guild of Canada - British Columbia (DGC BC), Larson manages and administrates that body’s collective agreement. He’s experienced in marketing, relationship-building and organizational leadership—all very relevant skills to have today. Brouse, who will remain on the WFF board for another year, endorses him. “Rob’s got an incredible skill for diplomacy,” she remarks. “He has a breadth of film industry knowledge that’s beyond anything I have… I’ve guided the organization through some significant change, a couple of leadership transitions and some other complex issues. and I think staying on the board helps provide that experience and knowledge transfer, but it’s really important to get a fresh perspective now that hasn’t been burdened by some of these past challenges. “And I love Rob’s collaborative approach. I think he understands, like I do, that the board’s role is really to clear away obstacles for the actual staff and give them the support that they need.”

‘NO MATTER WHAT, PEOPLE ARE GOING TO HAVE FUN’

Movie-makers and film festivals have been through the wringer as of late: from COVID-19 to various labour disputes like the 118-day Screen Actors Guild–American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA) strike in 2023. Studios are cutting back on content internationally, while a protectionist United States market generates tension. Simultaneously, the Canadian marketplace is grappling with a dearth of funds all around. “It’s been a real challenge after COVID because people got so used to watching movies at home, so the audience disappeared and we saw that in the box office numbers,” comments Larson. “Then there was this little blip with Barbenheimer [that made $2.42 billion combined]. The other issue is generational: the new generation is just not appreciating movie theatres like older generations. “[But] we’re seeing a little bit of a resurgence there. We’re seeing box office numbers with Spider-Man and The Odyssey. There seems to be some real hype for Dune: Part Three and Avengers coming up this winter. I think we’re going to see audience numbers actually improve year over year, and people are starting again to really appreciate that audience experience.” Less-expensive movies have also been generating buzz: for example, the 2026 Kane Parsons-helmed psychological horror Backrooms was shot in Vancouver and made roughly $394 million against a $10-million budget. Award-winning Obsession by Curry Barker cost just $750,000, but raked in a whopping $505 million at the box office. Both directors got their start independently, much like the kinds of talents the WFF endeavours to nurture. Signature Series masterclasses with accomplished figures like director Osgood Perkins and producer Chris Ferguson (who sold out a ballroom in the Fairmont Chateau Whistler last year) have proven to be valuable for inspiring and educating both fans and filmmakers alike. “Despite the challenges, we are going to put on an absolutely fantastic film festival,” Larson promises. “We did it last year, we’re going to do it again this year. No matter what, people are going to have fun. The community is going to enjoy itself like they always do.” The 2026 WFF is scheduled for Dec. 2 to 6. Visit whistlerfilmfestival.com for tickets and more information as it becomes available. n

Join our lunch club for FREE! Eat 10 lunches and your 11th is FREE!* Come in for lunch Wednesday through Sunday before 3 p.m. to get a stamp on your card. On Wednesday, you get 2 stamps on your card! Located in Whistler’s Creekside, Roland’s Pub is your one stop shop for How good is that?! great food, good friends and the game Children are welcome until 10pm every day. you’ve been looking for. (*Some restrictions apply)

Resort Municipality of Whistler

Notice | Tax Sale Properties Pursuant to Section 645 of the Local Government Act, the properties listed below will be offered for sale by public auction on Monday, September 28, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. in the Flute Room of Municipal Hall at 4325 Blackcomb Way, Whistler, BC, unless delinquent taxes plus interest are paid. Payment for either the settlement of outstanding taxes prior to tax sale, or purchase of property at tax sale must be CASH or CERTIFIED FUNDS. Those who wish to bid on properties must register between 9:30 a.m. and 9:50 a.m. on Monday, September 28, 2026, at Municipal Hall. Photo ID is required for registration. Please note that under Section 648 of the Local Government Act a person authorized by Council may bid for the municipality at the tax sale up to a maximum amount set by Council. Any person being declared the tax sale purchaser must pay the full amount of the purchase price by 1:00 p.m. the same day. Failure to pay will result in the property being offered for sale again. Property purchased at tax sale is subject to redemption by the registered property owner within one year from the day the annual tax sale began. Redemption price will be the upset price at the time of tax sale, plus required maintenance costs, plus any taxes paid by the purchaser, plus interest at rates established under section 11(3) of the Taxation Act on the preceding and any surplus bid. FOLIO

PID

CIVIC

BCA SHORT LEGAL

006107.031

008-776-709

9572 EMERALD DR

PL VAP12883 BLK J LT 16 DL 3625 NWD

006161.200

007-249-713

8975 HWY 99

PL VAP17842 BLK 1 LT B DL 3861 NWD

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7309 TONI SAILER LANE

PL VAP14075 BLK K LT 22 DL 4753 NWD

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5143 ALTA LAKE RD

PL VAP12123 BLK B DL 6770 GRP 1

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8384 MOUNTAIN VIEW DR

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5 4150 TANTALUS DR

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Resort Municipality of Whistler whistler.ca SEPTEMBER 11, 2026

MUSEUM MUSINGS

ON THE SEARCH Military Search and Rescue members from the 442 Air Transport and Rescue Squadron (Comox) gather by Callaghan Lake in August 1997.

PHOTO COURTESY OF THE WHISTLER MUSEUM

New insights on a historical Callaghan plane crash BY OLIVER MATISZ

Planning your perfect Whistler wedding? P I C K U P YO U R C O P Y T O D AY !

Recycle? Yes or no? Get the BC RECYCLEPEDIA App

www.rcbc.ca RECYCLING COUNCIL OF B.C. MEMBER 34 SEPTEMBER 11, 2026

AFTER COVERING 20,900 square miles, racking up 800 flight hours across more than a dozen search aircraft, the Royal Canadian Air Force suspended a search for a downed CT-133 jet in April 1956. The search was conducted by sea and air across Vancouver Island, where civilian reports of the crash were made. Two pilots, flight officer Gerald Stubbs, 32, and flight officer James Miller, 23, went missing on March 22 while conducting a regular training flight after departing from Comox, intending to fly across the Georgia Strait and then return back. In March of 2026, the Whistler Museum received photographs and correspondence associated with an August 1997 military recovery mission of the aircraft’s fuselage, which was spotted by a private helicopter pilot fighting fires near Callaghan Lake. At the time, the Royal Canadian Navy stated publicly that despite four decades having passed since the plane’s disappearance, “aviators have kept a watchful eye over the known flight route throughout the years.” This more substantial 1997 recovery added clarity to a 1974 discovery of the jet’s canopy approximately two kilometres from the original crash site. Sgt. Edith Cuerrier was a military photographer dispatched alongside a flight crash and salvage crew who were flown to Callaghan Lake, about 20 kilometres southwest of Whistler Village, in the first week of August 1997. The lake then served as a base point for military search-and-rescue helicopter recovery flights to and from the crash site; after initial site inspection of the fuselage it was established that in the absence of ejected aircraft seats, there was no likelihood of finding remains. The photography collections donated by Cuerrier encompass a wide array of images, including technical crash site documentation, salvage crew members actively reviewing flight paths, takeoffs and landings of aircraft, and activities partaken during downtime. The Whistler Museum additionally possesses a fragment of the aircraft’s canopy, some of the plane’s metal tubing, and a helmet of one of the pilots, all of which we received through donation from the Royal Canadian

Mounted Police in 2010. However, for the two pilots’ families, obtaining information on the crash has been a more tedious and complicated process. In 1987, the widow of flight officer Miller, Mary Ford, filed a request under the Access to Information Act with the federal government, seeking additional closure on her husband’s disappearance. At the time, neither she nor the family of flight officer Stubbs held knowledge of the plane’s canopy being recovered. Ford received a response that included the plane’s serial number and record that the canopy had indeed been recovered in September 1974, with no further recovery action being warranted at the time. A friend of Stubbs’ widow noted after the fuselage’s recovery in 1997 that “the history of this has not been one where the family is advised.” In light of these circumstances, the acquisition of Cuerrier’s work is an important step for our collections in enabling public access to a variety of crash records. A combination of physical artifacts from the crash site and newly acquired photographical and textual material, these records will facilitate increased transparency on investigations into the crash. As a community museum and archives, we endeavour to foster an open collection policy in building knowledge bases and to impartially maintain records. This has aided us in gaining custody of collections surrounding the crash’s history since the early 2000s from a diverse set of donors including both law enforcement agencies and private individuals. These acquisitions also tie into our broader institutional mandate in considering certain relevant regional history beyond Whistler’s municipal boundaries. We further recognize how a historic absence of answers has negatively impacted the lost pilots’ families, and hope that our stewardship of these records can serve to preserve the memory of flight officers Stubbs and Miller. Their lives and service continue to be honoured locally, with the Whistler Search and Rescue Society laying a wreath in their honour during Whistler’s annual Remembrance Day ceremony. Oliver Matisz is one of two collections coordinators supported through the Young Canada Works Program. n

PARTIAL RECALL

1+2 WITH THE BIRDS The Whistler Naturalists enjoyed some beautiful weather for the Sept. 5 bird walk, during which 17 enthusiastic birders identified 44 species. Get involved at whistlernaturalists.ca. PHOTOS COURTESY OF THE WHISTLER NATURALISTS 3 EYES IN THE SKY Reporter Luke Faulks spotted this fella (lady?) on a recent jaunt up to Elfin Lakes—one of six bears he saw on the run. PHOTO BY LUKE FAULKS 4 DIAMONDS ARE FOREVER The Whistler Chamber of Commerce is prepping for the 60th-anniversary instalment of the Whistler Excellence Awards on Oct. 22—and what better way to celebrate than popping bottles? “Turns out we’re terrible at popping champagne, but we had a good time and entertained some bus loop visitors,” the Chamber’s Hayley Clark says of this recent promo-reel outtake. Get your Excellence Awards tickets at whistlerchamber.com. PHOTO COURTESY OF THE WHISTLER CHAMBER 5 ABOVE THE CLOUDS The final Whistler Mountain Top Feast offered fantastic food and spectacular views on Sunday, Sept. 6. PHOTO BY CATHERINE POWER-CHARTRAND 6 BENEATH THE SURFACE Diver Henry Wang poses with an EV battery he collected from Alpha Lake recently. Who throws a battery in a lake?! PHOTO COURTESY OF KIMIKO TAGUCHI

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SEPTEMBER 11, 2026

ENTERTAINMENT LISTINGS & ASTROLOGY RBC GRANFONDO The RBC GranFondo Whistler is a spectacular cycling event along the Sea to Sky highway from Vancouver to Whistler. Choose from 55 km to 122 km routes and enjoy breathtaking scenery on traffic-free roads. Family-friendly and open to riders of all abilities. » Sept. 12 » Various locations

WHISTLER FARMERS’ MARKET

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!) at piquenewsmagazine.com/local-events

Dames Dine Around is a delicious province-wide dining celebration featuring fabulous food at different restaurants, wineries, and culinary venues across BC over two nights. Brought to you by Les Dames D’Escoffier International. » Sept. 16, 6 p.m. » Araxi and Il Caminetto

WHISTLER VILLAGE BEER FEST

PERIMENOPAUSE & MENOPAUSE FROM A MUSCULOSKELETAL PERSPECTIVE

A feast for your senses, the Whistler Farmers’ Market features local produce, tasty food, local artisans, live entertainment and family activities. Markets happen every Sunday until Thanksgiving on Oct. 11, with the addition of select Saturday markets. » Sept. 13, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. » Upper Village Stroll

RUBBLE CREEK CLASSIC Since 1985, Sea to Sky locals have taken on this challenging late-September route, climbing 1,080 metres past Taylor Creek meadows and Black Tusk to Garibaldi Lake, before descending 1,353 metres to finish at Rubble Creek parking lot. » Sept. 13, 9 a.m. » Various locations

FILE PHOTO

Explore how the menopause transition can affect the body with Registered Massage Therapist and menopause educator Tara Findlay. Learn why changes in joints, strength, and recovery can occur, and discover practical, research informed ways to stay active, manage symptoms and better understand what is happening in your body. » Sept. 16, 7 to 8:30 p.m. » Whistler Public Library

WHISTLER VILLAGE BEER FESTIVAL

SUNDAY SCRIBBLES FAMILY ART-MAKING Spend your Sunday afternoon creating together as a family at the Audain Art Museum! This drop-in style workshop invites participants of all ages to dive into the beauty of the natural world through hands-on art activities inspired by Whistler’s summer flora. » Sept. 13, 1 to 3 p.m. » Audain Art Museum

DAMES DINE AROUND AT ARAXI AND IL CAMINETTO

DAMES DINE AROUND AT BEARFOOT BISTRO AND WILD BLUE “Celebrate Food, Wine, and Life” is the motto at Bearfoot Bistro, where the culinary team prepares a chef’s

tasting menu showcasing some of Canada’s finest ingredients. The experience also includes a visit to the Grey Goose Ice Room, the world’s coldest vodka tasting room. » Sept. 15, 6 p.m. » Bearfoot Bistro and Wild Blue

The Whistler Village Beer Festival returns with 40-plus craft beverage producers, 80-plus beers, ciders, and seltzers to sample at Olympic Plaza. Enjoy live music, food trucks, interactive activities, and a lively mountain atmosphere at this annual celebration. » Sept. 16 to 20 » Various locations

Free Will Astrology WEEK OF SEPTEMBER 11 BY ROB BREZSNY ARIES (March 21-April 19): Cheetahs are the fastest land

animals, but they can maintain top tempo for only about 20-30 seconds before overheating. When they’re hunting, they usually get just one speedy dash to catch their prey. They must spend far more time stalking and positioning than running. The velocity is sensational, but their patient and prolonged strategy is even more essential. In the coming weeks, Aries, I urge you to be like the cheetah as you pursue what you need and want. TAURUS (April 20-May 20): The dancer Mikhail Baryshnikov said that true mastery means performing with complete intensity while making the movement appear effortless. Behind the grace lies years of disciplined practice. Is there an aptitude or practice you cultivate that fits this description, Taurus? I hope you’re ready to showcase it, flaunt it, and use it to your maximum benefit. It’s time to capitalize bountifully on skills at which you excel. Your well-deserved rewards are more likely to arrive than usual. GEMINI (May 21-June 20): “Dear Oracle: I have contracted a severe case of too-many-tabs-open. My brain has 19 windows running at once, and it’s hard for me to determine which thoughts are the truly important ones. Everything seems equally urgent and equally trifling. Any tips on how I can better figure out what actually matters the most? —Overstimulated Gemini.” Dear Overstimulated: The secret to fixing this dilemma is to consult your body. Focus your attention on your gut and ask it to send you sweet clues about which yearnings it resonates with most. Check in with your feet and seek their wise counsel about which direction they want to lead you. Pat yourself lovingly on the butt a few times and request its loving guidance about what will make you feel most grounded. CANCER (June 21-July 22): For some people, laughter is like a spiritual practice. A lot of them are Leos, Aquarians, and Sagittarians. They crack up more often and for longer

stretches than most, and they tend to howl at ironies everyone else takes too seriously. I bring this to your attention, dear Cancerian, because you’re in a time when you could and should laugh often in wild, liberating ways. I invite you to explore the weirder areas of your sense of humour and work earnestly to expand what you find funny. PS: There’s credible evidence that laughter can reduce stress physiology, ease anxiety, lift mood, strengthen social connection, and even raise pain tolerance. LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): The astronomer Johannes Kepler spent years trying to prove that planetary orbits were perfect circles because he believed the universe should behave that way. Once he abandoned his cherished assumption, he discovered the truth: The planets travel in ellipses. That revision transformed astronomy forever. With this in mind, Leo, I will ask you: Is there an elegant belief you have outgrown? A theory that was once fun and interesting but now limits your vision? The coming weeks will favour corrections. Changing your mind will show you that reality is even more interesting than you previously understood. VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Master chefs say that diners first taste food with their eyes. The visual presentation is key to the whole experience. But the beauty must arise from craftsmanship rather than empty decoration. I believe you Virgos are in a phase when this is an important metaphor. Your outer style and inner substance are ready to become better collaborators. Some suggestions: Wear clothes that influence you to feel vividly alive. Relax your face and posture. Beautify your workspace. Polish your presentations. And please make sure the dazzling appearances reflect equally nourishing contents. LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): I just finished a delicate peace mission to the contested inner landscape where your nightmares have been causing a big ruckus. In response to my diplomacy, they have agreed to drop their weapons and

release their captives. In exchange, they are asking you to sit with them for a while as they rant and sob, and maybe offer them a few kisses and affectionate embraces. Drawing on my long years of coaxing unruly spirits back into semi-sanity, I conclude that a key reason they turned so dramatic and extreme was that they have been starving for your attention. I am very sure that with just a little effort, you can tame their reckless restlessness. SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): You’re poised at a threshold between what’s comfortably familiar and excitingly possible. A certain reliable part of your life has served you well for a long time but is now ripe for evolution. The paradox is that letting go of a serviceable asset can feel more difficult than shedding what’s obviously harmful. So here’s the riddle I hope you will meditate on: What good old thing could you relinquish so as to attract and make room for a great new thing in your life? SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): The Renaissance artist Leonardo da Vinci filled his notebooks with sketches of machines that would not become practical until centuries later. Examples are the parachute, a helicopter-like “aerial screw,” and an armoured tank. Many of his designs were simply too advanced for the materials and engineering of his era. I suspect you may experience comparable moments of visionary thinking in the coming weeks and months, Sagittarius. To some people and even to yourself, your ideas might seem overly ambitious or ahead of their time. But please don’t dismiss them. Write down your inklings and let them cavort around in your imagination. CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Sofia Kovalevskaya was born under the sign of Capricorn in 1850. Early in her life, she displayed mathematical brilliance. She longed to develop her talent, but women weren’t allowed to attend college in her native Russia. So she devised a workaround: a marriage of convenience with a man who helped her leave the country and

gain the freedom to study in Germany. There she eventually became the first woman to earn a doctorate. Inspired by her example, I encourage you to consider creative strategies for obstacles that seem immovable. What indirect routes might lead you to your goals better than frontal assaults? Be willing to zigzag toward your destination. AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Most of us have been cursed. The sources of the bad mojo have rarely been evil sorcerers who cast literal spells. Rather, they were harsh pronouncements about our worth or our future, spoken by people we loved or trusted. For example, when I was 20, my astrology teacher dropped an alarming verdict on me: “You will never be seen and appreciated for who you truly are.” That ugly decree became a jinx I spent years struggling with before I finally banished it. Do you carry a comparable hex, Aquarius? Maybe mommy or daddy proclaimed you would never amount to anything. Maybe an ex declared that you would never again find real love. Whatever it might have been, here’s the good news: You now have the power to at least partially dissolve that old scourge and glide into the future less burdened by it. PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): Ravens often cache shiny objects and interesting novelties that seem to possess no immediate practical value. They apparently delight in collecting intriguing possibilities. I recommend you channel your inner raven in the coming weeks, Pisces. Assemble an array of quirky treasures and raw materials without immediately deciding whether or why they might be useful. Like what? Like fun ideas, memorable quotations, odd facts, provocative images, curious fragments, and fascinating stories. In ways you can’t imagine yet, your playful cluster will inspire imaginative innovations and delightful breakthroughs. Homework: Name a way you think everyone should be more like you. https://tinyurl.com/9w9w9w9

IN ADDITION TO THIS COLUMN, ROB BREZSNY CREATES EXPANDED AUDIO HOROSCOPES In-depth weekly forecasts designed to inspire and uplift you. To buy access, phone 1-888-499-4425. Once you’ve chosen the Block of Time you like, call 1-888-682-8777 to hear Rob’s forecasts. www.freewillastrology.com

36 SEPTEMBER 11, 2026

COMMUNITY

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PUT YOUR

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See our full page schedule ad in this issue of Pique for details

Join Our Team at WorldMark by Wyndham – Cascade Lodge & Sundance We’re looking for motivated and reliable team members to join our Housekeeping team at our vacation ownership properties in Creekside and Whistler Village.

Fitness Class Schedule Friday, Sept 11 I 7:30-8:30 a.m. Boxing HIIT – Kelsey Monday, Sept 14 I 10:30-11:30 Zumba with Carmen Tuesday, Sept 15 R 12:15-1:15 p.m. Prenatal Fitness – Sara Wednesday, Sept 16 I 12:30-1:30 p.m. Gentle Fit – Mel K Thursday, Sept 17 I 10:15-11:15 a.m. Move, Mobilize & Reset – Lou

We’re Hiring!

COORDINATOR, SALES OPERATIONS & FINANCE Full Time, Year Round

The people make the place, and in Whistler’s case that couldn’t be more true. Tourism Whistler is looking for people passionate about mountain culture and sharing this special place we get to call home.

Must have 3+ years of experience in a Farm Supervisor position. Responsibilities include: supervising ﬁeld staff, operating farm equipment and machinery, overseeing irrigation systems, applying soil amendments, general farm work, and maintaining quality control and production records. North Arm Farm 1888 Hwy 99 Pemberton, BC

35-65hrs/week $19-$24/hr Start Date: February 1st 2027

Email emma@northarmfarm.com with resume and references to apply.

This 2 bdrm 1 bathroom suite is fully equiped with soaker bathtub, new washer dryer, all appliances, private wifi, plow service and 2 parking spots. walk to lifts easily. no pets, no smoking. Minimum 7 months or year round. skiwhis@ gmail.com

COTTAGES FOR SALE 1.5 hrs from Whistler, spring water, private and tranquil, best fishing and swimming lake in BC, lakeview, a very special place all for under 300, email for more info.... raymondo@posteo.net

As part of the Whistler.com team, the Coordinator, Sales Operations & Finance works closely with Sales Operations and Finance teams to support the day-to-day operations of Whistler.com, ensuring that products, bookings, supplier information, and ﬁnancial processes are administered accurately and efficiently. If you’re someone that is organized, detailoriented, resourceful, a team-player and that likes a varied mix of responsibilities, we’d love to hear from you. What We Offer: • Nine-day fortnight schedule • Hybrid work environment balancing in-office and remote work • Excellent beneﬁts package • Supportive, collaborative team culture • Starting salary range: $50,000 - $54,000 annually, plus incentive bonus TO VIEW OUR CAREER OPPORTUNITIES, AND TO APPLY, VISIT US ONLINE AT: WHISTLER.COM/CAREERS.

SEPTEMBER 11, 2026

Lil’wat Nation

Employment Opportunities

CIVIL CONSTRUCTION

Governance • •

BUILDING AN EXCELLENT COMPANY, PEOPLE, RELATIONSHIPS, AND RESULTS

•

Community Safety Ofﬁcer ($67,040.00 to $92,180.00 per year) Senior Human Resources Generalist ($76,560.00 to $105,270.00 per year) Human Resources Generalist ($67,040.00 to $92,180.00 per year)

Title & Rights •

Referrals Manager ($76,560.00 to $105,270.00 per year)

Health & Healing + Pqusnalhcw Health Centre SAFETY

PROFESSIONALISM

RELIABLE & HONEST

ATTENTION TO DETAIL

STRONG WORK ETHIC

TEAMWORK

CAREER OPPORTUNITIES

Employee Health & Wellness Plan available SNOW SERVICES SUPERVISOR: Whistler, 5+ yrs heavy equipment/civil or winter maintenance experience, supervisory experience preferred, Class 5 BC licence. Lead winter operations, coordinate crews and equipment, and oversee safe, efficient service delivery. Opportunity to take ownership of winter operations, lead a team and contribute directly to operational performance. $44.00-$50.00 per hour. SITE SUPERINTENDENT: Squamish, 5–10 yrs civil/excavation experience, 2–5 yrs project management experience, Class 5 BC licence. Lead site operations, coordinate crews and equipment, and oversee safe, efficient project delivery. Opportunity to take ownership of project execution, lead a team and contribute directly to schedule, quality and project performance. $40.49-$47.17 per hour.

Y APPL

coastalmountain.ca/careers instagram.com/coastalmountainexcavations

• • • •

Community Health Nurse ($41.42 to $52.81 per hour) + $2.15 hourly premium) Peer Support Worker ($47,120.00 to $61,845.00 per year) Bus Driver ($22.86 to $30.00 per hour) Trauma Therapist ($80,160 to $115,230 per year)

Child & Family Services •

Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) Key Worker ($54,720.00 to $71,820.00 per year)

Community Programs • •

Bus Driver ($22.86 to $30.00 per hour) Youth Center Coordinator ($50,480.00 to $66,255.00 per year)

Xet’òlacw Community School • • • •

High School Teacher - Special Education ($63,670.00 to $116,19.00 per year) Education Assistant ($47,120.00 to $61,845.00 per year) Custodian ($22.86 to $30.00 per hour) Bus Driver ($22.86 to $30.00 per hour)

Please visit our career page for more information: https://lilwat.ca/careers/

This role serves as a senior HR practitioner and trusted advisor to leadership, with a primary focus on employee & labour relations. The role manages complex employee relations matters and supports performance management, workplace investigations, recruitment, accommodations & return-to-work, compensation & classiﬁcation, HRIS, and organizational change - all in alignment with Lilwat Nation’s values, cultural teachings, and community priorities

Ziptrek Ecotours is now hiring for an: IT Administrator This could be a Full-time or Part-time position. Pay is $70,000–$85,000 based on experience per year for full-time. Excellent compensation, great perks & beneﬁts.

Apply for details and to apply online by scanning the QR code now Please note, we currently do not offer staff housing. 38 SEPTEMBER 11, 2026

Experience:

What We Offer:

• Relevant degree or diploma, or a combination of education & experience • CPHR designation is an asset • 5-7 years of progressive HR experience • Solid experience in labour relations and knowledge of labour laws • Employee relations: Investigating and resolving complex or critical issues. • Experience in federally regulated, Indigenous, public sector, government or similarly complex organization preferred

• Salary Range: $76,560 to $105,270/year • Full-Time, Regular Position • 6% vacation pay • Up to 5 wellness days per year • Up to 10 paid sick days per year • Extra stat holidays including one week off between Christmas and New Year’s • Extended health and wellness beneﬁts • Registered Pension Plan (RPP) • Supportive and collaborative team environment

Find full job post and apply here:

For more info contact: hr@lilwat.ca or 604-894-6115

WHISTLER’S PREMIER LUXURY ESTATE BUILDER

1 6

3NESTERS 4 1 9 5 MARKET & W9ELLNESS CENTRE 3 9 6 3 1 3 4 2 3 NOW HIRING 2 8 7 Deli, Bakery, Produce, 8 9Grocery 7 2 3 8 and Meat Clerks 7 2 8 1 Cashiers 5Full or Part Time 3 9 4 2 4 1 5 E-mail or drop in your resume to: #9 HARD bruce_stewart@nestersmarket.com please cc Rory_eunson@nestersmarket.com

# 10

$30-$45+ per hour

PERKS

• Competitive wage – Depending on experience • Access to medical and dental beneﬁts for full time applicants • Percentage discount from store bought goods • Flexible and set schedule • Staﬀ Housing available

4 8 6

8 3 4 2 4 7

1 2 7 WE’RE4HIRING 5 7 9 3 5 9 2 5 6 2 3 9 9 5 7 General6Manager, Infrastructure Services 1 6 2 8 3 5 2 7 9 1 Lifeguard/Instructor Permanent full-time position with an annual salary range of $185,035 to $220,173. Casual position with a starting wage of $28.53HARD an hour. # 11

# 12

Apply to the Resort Municipality today: whistler.ca/careers

November 2026 - April 2027 5 bedrooms preferred, fully furnished and available for double occupancy

# 10

5 6 2 4 8 1 9 3 7

Answers 4 8 9 5 3 7 2 1 6

7 3 1 2 6 9 8 5 4

1 4 8 3 5 6 7 9 2

6 2 5 7 9 4 3 8 1

3 9 7 8 1 2 4 6 5

2 1 6 9 4 3 5 7 8

8 7 3 6 2 5 1 4 9

We've Got You Covered 9 5 4 1 7 8 6 2 3

# 11

Page 3 of 25

3 9 6 1 7 2 5 8 4

5 8 7 6 3 4 1 2 9

1 2 4 9 5 8 7 3 6

7 6 8 3 9 1 4 5 2

2 1 3 7 4 5 6 9 8

9 4 5 8 2 6 3 7 1

4 5 9 2 6 7 8 1 3

VISITORS’ GUIDE 2017-2018 FREE

Whistler / Function / Brio / surrounding areas

8 7 2 4 1 3 9 6 5

6 3 1 5 8 9 2 4 7

# 12

8 5 9 7 2 4 3 1 6

3 2 7 8 1 6 5 9 4

6 4 1 9 3 5 8 7 2

9 7 8 6 5 2 1 4 3

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2 1 5 3 4 7 9 6 8

1 9 6 4 8 3 7 2 5

7 3 2 5 6 1 4 8 9

5 8 4 2 7 9 6 3 1

4/11/2005

We are looking for a comfortable, well-maintained home for the full winter season. If you have a property available or know of someone considering a winter rental, please contact Megan at 6042037854 or megan.odonnell@westinwhistler.com ©2026 Marriott International, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Photo Credit: Tourism Whistler

SEPTEMBER 11, 2026

PUZZLES ACROSS 1 6 10 15 18 19 21 22 24 25 26 27 28 29 31 33 35 37 38 39 40 42 43 44 46 47 48 52 53 54 56 57 58 59 60 62 63 65

Money earned Commotion Javelin Paved ways (Abbr.) Warning Uses a razor -- and desist Transport “Last -- in Paris” Wine-filled bottle Frankincense, e.g. Land area Running bird Stiff Map Compel -- Hashanah War god Decelerates Suffer from heat Inquired Oar Balls-and-numbers game Steeped, said of grains Sycophant Leaf Bathe Patterned cloth Itinerary Good witch of Oz Merriment Leggy bird Categorize Hurries Mark with a hot iron “Yikes!” Swaddle Actor -- Liotta

66 67 68 69 71 73 75 76 77 78 82 84 85 86 87 90 91 93 94 95 97 98 99 100 102 104 105 107 108 109 110 112 113 114 117 118 119

Actor -- Peppard Hr. fraction “Present!” Wood strip Wading bird Sibling of 55-Down Poem Flavoring matter Roman 54 Thick slice -- seal Christmas decoration Certain Japanese statesman Empty Calendar abbr. Benumb In -- (wholly) Change to fit Pathfinder Small dogs Musical sounds -- ammoniac Have a prix fixe meal (2 wds.) Liable Instant Entertainment award Greenish-blue Novelist -- Jong Official messenger Lucy’s friend Laziness Manservant Athletic shoe Famous statue by Michelangelo Hookah Greek peak

123 124 125 127 128 129 131 133 135 136 137 138 139 140 141 142

Customer Chop finely Ski areas Unruly crowd Vingt- -- -- (card game) Silly Skewer Hoisting device Miami- -- County Direction indicator Vitamin B3 Of hearing Directed Dapper Kind of British gun British length

DOWN 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 19 20 23 30

“Like -- for Chocolate” Texas landmark Class in biology Work unit Put away Out of direct light Container weights Director -- Reitman Ump’s colleague Messy writing Looks Compass point “Do -- -- say, not ...” Famed Superficial Implied but unsaid Billow Made a point Sequester Wanton look Of a certain wood

32 34 36 38 39 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 58 59 61 63 64 66 70 71 72 74 76 79 80 81 83 85 87 88 89 90

92 93 95 96 98 101 102 103 104 106 108 109 111 112 113 114

Sacred Panhandle Stopped “Begone!” Endorses “On the double!” Compass point Cheese in a trap Actress -- Smith Extreme Rich cake Trick Slightly open Ballad Jekyll’s alter ego Abounds Shouted Shred, as cheese Cain’s victim Scandinavian Drew, in a way Decays Lacking cash -- de corps Taken as fact Rest Muddy sediment Grows weary Stack Walk with pride Singer -- Richie Be present at Supercharge Poker stake Steam bath Jardiniere Father of 55-Down Peace Sports violation

Period Red sauce ingredient Direct Fossil fuel Ripped Of the Greek capital Food class Singer -- Coolidge Battle Ached Energy type (Abbr.) Take place Ring event, for short Thin and wiry Orchestra member Hurried

115 116 117 118 120 121 122 124 125 126 130 132 134

Of one’s birth Composition for piano -- noir wine Stead Hurt Ship’s echolocation White poplar Store Quarrel Swindle Hunters’ org. Badly (Prefix) “The Murders in the -Morgue”

LAST WEEK’S ANSWERS

Enter a digit from 1 through 9 in each cell, in such a way that: • Each horizontal row contains each digit exactly once • Each vertical column contains each digit exactly once • Each 3x3 box contains each digit exactly once Solving a sudoku puzzle does not require any mathematics; simple logic suffices.

LEVEL OF DIFFICULTY: HARD

2 8 5 1 8 2 7 9 HARD

3 4 1 9 3 2 9 7

3 1 8 7 4

2 #9

1 6 4 8 3

2 3

2 8 4

6 3

2 3 9

5 7 8

1 5

HARD # 10 Solution, tips and computer program at www.sudoku.com

ANSWERS ON PAGE 39

40 SEPTEMBER 11, 2026

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SEPTEMBER 11, 2026

PIQUE’N YER INTEREST

What’s the wildest thing you’ve ever done in Whistler? WELL, THE SKY IS FLAMING orange again, and I saw a huge, burning star descend from the Heavens last night, which means that either the rainy season is here, along with the End Times, or, speak of the Devil, municipal elections are right around the corner. Now, nothing gets people excited like

unless they want to speak on a random subject. If they want to come, they can write a letter to council and then speak. What would you rather do with a large field of grass: A) Build a touristenhanced engagement park with food trucks, a concrete garden and shaded table plaza requiring thousands of dollars in annual maintenance. B) Rip it up and put in a paid parking lot—because we can never get enough revenue! C) Leave it alone for the creativity and adventure of the community to do as they please. D) Smoke it. RALPH: D and then C. IVAN: C, but build a street workout playground where people can exercise for free. JACK: C. If people wanna do D— freedom for the people.

BY TOBIAS C. VAN VEEN LOCAL ELECTIONS! I mean, in a town without a movie theatre and that long ago demolished its waterslides, there is little else to do during the monsoon season other than VOTE for municipal councillors and our mayor, right? Alright, alright… I mean there’s plenty to do during the fall: random, unpermitted house repairs, excessive drinking, and trying (and trying…) to make new little citizens, tasks that are often linked though not necessarily in that order. As we stare down the spectre of standing in line to make our little Xs, it’s worth remembering that local elections really do swing things in town. Who gets voted into local office can make a lot of difference on things that actually matter to most of us—like affordable housing, community services, and finally paving the side of Lorimer that has the potholes. The second thing to remember, however, is the damning opposite of the first: local politicians have the least tools available to them to effect real change, even though they are the most accessible and often accountable elected officials we have. (Funny how this upside-down system appears by design, eh?) So. Vote anyways. Why? Because our little valley town needs you, and let’s face it: we’re having an identity crisis. With storefronts and businesses increasingly owned by multinational juggernauts, our local council is one of the few tools we have other than bricks to do something about it. True, our decrepit system boxes in how much direct democracy our politicos can punch. To resolve the things we really need to grapple with—criminally-high food pricing, technofash AI cabals, a collapsing climate—we might have to resort to a little more directed action for saving our democracy. Which brings us to municipal elections.

GONE TOO SOON Bring back The Boot! DAVID EVANS COLLECTION

In the spirit of trying to catch attention—anyone’s, really—I wantonly phoned prospective electees over Labour Day weekend, and asked them a number of questions designed to provoke something out of them other than the usual banal soundbyte. This is a very professional technique I picked up from Nardwuar the Human Serviette, back when I covered fascist weather fronts for the CiTR Nooze in the late ’90s. The battier the question, the more likely it is to tell us the truth about things—if not in the answer, then in the telling. What’s the wildest thing you’ve ever done in Whistler? BRANDON SMITH: Naked snowboard run from Rendezvous to staff housing! RALPH FORSYTH: I got Saran-Wrapped naked at the Savage Beagle, for a scavenger hunt during Ski Esprit week. This was 40 years ago. JEFF MURL: Meet my wife! At a skischool party. I prequalified her, so I knew she could ski. CATHY JEWETT: Went for more than one ride in an avalanche! And rescued someone in one that was totally buried, too. IVAN OTTO: Playing ice hockey at night on Alta Lake, and cooking goulash there! JACK CROMPTON: Probably had kids. I took all four of my kids backpacking when they were under six years old. The parenting was probably more ridiculous than the backpacking. RAUL BATISTA (calling from his good friend’s wedding in Italy): Jumping off with a paraglider, trusting someone without the proper training! If you could bring back one thing about Whistler that disappeared too soon, what would it be? BRANDON: The movie theatre for the mind,

42 SEPTEMBER 11, 2026

the Boot Pub for the heart. RALPH: The T-bars on Blackcomb—as you had to be a good skier to ride here. We’re not a small town anymore, and I miss that too. It’s busy… but it’s “us.” JEFF: The waterslides! Good all-season recreation. CATHY: Fixed grips! The thing that changed the quality of skiing more than anything was high-speed detachable lifts—we’re now counting people per hour by the thousands. And I’d bring back the Garibaldi Lift Company. IVAN: The train between Squamish and Whistler! JACK: The old Roundhouse with the wood fireplace and stench of chili and drying clothes. RAUL: Time. People come to Whistler but they have to work so much, so people are not getting the true, amazing, West Coast ski bum life. Do you think council should embrace democracy? BRANDON: Yes. JEFF: We already do! I don’t know how you could embrace it better. Civil argument is the core of democracy and we do that well. Do you want return to an open question period that supports local democracy, or should we just admit we don’t really want annoying “public engagement,” and just round up and gag everyone with duct tape upon entering Council Chambers? BRANDON: Yes, I do, at the open and end of a council meeting, as a reward for sitting through three hours of boredom—and because people often have questions after the business is done. JEFF: I feel like what we’ve done doesn’t constrain anyone from speaking,

If you had the power, would you implement commercial rent control on Whistler Village properties for local business, or are you all like “the market is sacred even if it’s owned by two billionaires, and tough luck locals”? CATHY: I would love to be able to do that. But sadly, we live in reality. RAOUL: I’m a strong believer of the Whistler Housing Authority, and I would be very happy to see something similar, but for commercial spaces. Rules that allow opportunities, not just for the wealthiest. How far would you be willing to go to expropriate the entire Village into a commune? CATHY: I did live in Ted and Nancy Morden’s squat—that was pretty awesome, being able to live for free. But nothing is free. Somebody’s gotta pay. When the Village started, it was owned by local individuals. Those were the good old days. RAOL: I would love to hear from people that live in town—that not just own things. I’m open-minded to solutions. Do you prefer bricks or cocktails? CATHY: What are the bricks, bricks of cheese? RAOUL: Construction bricks? To me cocktails sound like work, bricks sound like fun. But I do enjoy a nice cocktail, as a bartender. Molotov or gin? CATHY: Gin. RAOUL: Molotov. tobias c. van Veen believes in disproportional representation: all nonBoomers should get two votes. n

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