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Calls for dialogue as pipeline polarizes some in northern British Columbia

Hereditary chiefs say project has no authority, despite signed agreements with elected First Nation councils

HOUSTON, B.C.—A natural gas pipeline project has polarized many communities across northern British Columbia in a dispute a Wet’suwet’en elder says he hopes will be resolved through dialogue. Russell Tiljoe, 83, has long-established ties with the First Nation whose hereditary clan chiefs say the Coastal GasLink project has no authority to run through its 22,000 square kilometres of traditional territory without their consent.…

In Search of the Ho Chi Minh Trail

The sleepy border town of Tha Khaek, Laos, is best known for the “Loop,” an easy four-day motorcycle circuit. We were here to rent dirt bikes, find tracks less travelled and seek out the historic Ho Chi Minh Trail for the next three weeks.…

Royal deal clears way for Harry, Meghan part-time Canada move: experts

Duo appears to be moving ‘as expeditiously as possible’

VANCOUVER—A deal reached by Prince Harry and his wife, Meghan, with Buckingham Palace helps clear the way for their planned part-time move to Canada, royal watchers said Saturday. The palace announced that the duo will cease their duties as working royals this spring and will no longer use the titles “royal highness” or receive public funds for their work.…

Some Whistler residences seeing big jump in assessed values

While community averaged 5% increase, some homes saw close to 20% jump

When Dale Tiessen received a “pre-assessment” letter in December from BC Assessment warning him of an impending spike in his property value, it took him by surprise. “I was kinda shocked, because we got a pre-assessment letter [that said] ‘Oh by the way, we’re sending you a pre letter because we don’t want you to be shocked when you get your assessment,’ … well that actually shocked me,” Tiessen said with a laugh.…

North by Northwest

British Columbia is famous in international skiing circles for its Powder Highway—a grand circle route in the province’s south linking the (mostly) snowy resorts of Red, Whitewater, Fernie, Kimberly, Panorama, Kicking Horse and Revelstoke. Given the ranges in which these reside, any mission along the route can become a white-knuckle nightmare, so serious winter driving chops are a must.…

Dave Walden elected as Pemberton’s new school trustee

Polls closed at 8 p.m., Jan. 18 with Walden in the lead

Dave Walden has been elected as school trustee for Pemberton following a byelection vote Saturday, June 18. Walden received 62 votes.…

Once proposed as ski resort: B.C.’s Jumbo Glacier turned over to First Nation

A spectacular swath of mountains, glaciers and forests once proposed for a ski resort is being turned over to the First Nations people who have lived there for centuries. After decades of controversy that reached all the way to the Supreme Court, the Jumbo Glacier in British Columbia’s central Purcell Mountains is to be handed over to the Ktunaxa First Nation to manage as an Indigenous Protected Area.…

Whistler lugers score Canada’s first Youth Olympics medal

Nash, Corless silver at St. Moritz

Whistler laid claim to Canada’s first podium appearance of the Youth Olympic Games in Switzerland on Saturday, Jan. 18. In the first-ever women’s doubles competition at the Games, Whistler’s Caitlin Nash and Natalie Corless secured the silver medal.…

Pemberton council approves skills park concept

Council briefs: Cannabis-related business licence fees; hot springs management

The Village of Pemberton (VOP) Council voted to direct staff to work with the Pemberton Off Road Cycling Association (PORCA) to identify a suitable location of a mountain bike skills park during its Jan. 14 regular council meeting. Specifically, council instructed staff to develop a report that will look at potentially placing the skills park at either the VOP’s recreation grounds or a property beside the new parking lot for the Community Barn, or splitting the park up between the two locations.…

Squamish getting 16 new childcare spaces32 new childcare spaces coming to Sea to Sky

32 new childcare spaces coming to Sea to Sky

Some Squamish families are about to catch a break as funding for 16 new childcare spaces is coming to a facility in Brackendale. “We know we need to continue building.…

Bear cub found ‘over-sedated’ and freezing in conservation officer’s truck stable but has ‘a long way to go’

The bear had been given up to six times the amount of sedation required, and, combined with the cold, could have easily died

A Metro Vancouver wildlife rehabilitation centre has joined in the criticism of the BC Conservation Officer Service after it received two Tri-City bear cubs in five days, one emaciated the other allegedly left to freeze in the back of a conservation officer’s pickup truck. The first bear, known as bear #28, arrived at Critter Care Wildlife Society in Langley Jan. 9 after a couple from Anmore found the animal emaciated and in poor health.…

WSSF announces 2020 dates

Sports briefs: Whistler Freeride Club alums shine; Three Whistlerites hit ski-cross podium

The World Ski and Snowboard Festival is back to covering two weekends in 2020. The long-running event, recently purchased from Whistler Blackcomb by Gibbons Whistler, will run from April 16 to 26 this year.…

Performers needed for International Women’s Day show

Arts News: nominate an arts champion; check out amazing seniors in new documentary

Organizers of Whistler’s International Women’s Day fundraising party are looking for local performers to take part in the sixth annual event on March 8. This year, they’re hosting two separate shows—a matinee from 3 to 5:30 p.m. and an evening show from 7:30 to 10 p.m.…

Winter storm warning in effect for Whistler

Avalanche rating listed at high for all terrain

Hunker down or hit the hill? Environment Canada has issued a winter storm warning for Whistler and the Sea to Sky corridor.…

China expects ‘ice and snow’ tourism boom ahead of 2022 Olympics

Games could create millions of new skiers; ‘huge opportunity’ for ski industry

As Beijing prepares to host the 2022 Winter Olympics, China is predicting a massive boom in ice and snow tourism in the lead-up to the Games. The country is expecting to welcome 340 million ice and snow tourists in the 2021-2022 winter season, generating a tourism revenue of US$97.6 billion, according to a recently released report from the China Tourism Academy.…