Blog

Squamish’s recently reopened Fergie’s Café forced to close again

The kitchen needs repairs that will take until March to complete, say owners

After a successful reopening this September, Fergie’s Café is closing again. The popular Squamish Valley restaurant announced Friday morning that it needs to shut for two months for repairs starting on Jan. 8.”A beverage line leak has been identified in our kitchen floor and we simply cannot risk putting off repairs because of the long-term damage it could cause,” the café said in a social media post.…

Rare extreme avalanche rating issued for Sea-to-Sky mountains

Upper alpine at Whistler Blackcomb remains closed

“Very large avalanches are almost certain” on Friday, Jan. 3, warned Avalanche Canada in an uncommon extreme avalanche warning issued for the Sea-to-Sky mountains. In a statement, the organization said it “rarely sees” the danger rating rise to extreme, and, on its website, urged the public to avoid all avalanche terrain as “intense precipitation will form large storm slabs and add tremendous stress to an already wet snowpack.”
“We typically see extreme ratings about once or twice per year and that’s across all of Western Canada,” added Avalanche Canada forecaster Simon Horton in a follow-up call.…

North Vancouver’s Grouse Mountain Resort sells for second time in two years

Northland Properties Corp. new owner

For the second time in two years, the ownership of Grouse Mountain Resort is changing hands. Northland Properties Corporation, which owns hotels, the Revelstoke Mountain Resort, and a chain of diners, announced an agreement to buy the popular resort Thursday.…

XC skiers converge on Whistler Olympic Park

Sports briefs: Thomsen 12th at Bormio; Grondin sixth at Cervinia

Three local cross-country ski clubs sent athletes to the Teck Coast Cup #2 at Whistler Olympic Park on Dec. 21. Representing Whistler Nordics, Kate Lowe placed second in the U10 girls’ 1.5-km classic event.…

Uprising to showcase Whistler photographers

In the wake of Deep Winter’s cancellation, a team of locals band together with new spin on slideshow event

When Whistler Blackcomb announced that it was hitting the pause button on the Deep Winter Photo Challenge this year, the news hit the team at Origin hard. After all, the contest—which marked its 13th year in 2019—represents the same aesthetic as the outdoor-oriented content and marketing agency, says principal and creative director, Danielle Kristmanson.…

Will Whistler do more ‘heavy lifting’ on climate accountability?

Letter asks Whistler council to ‘explore legal options’ related to climate costs

Almost exactly one year after Whistler’s mayor and council drew the ire of Canada’s oil industry with a “hypocritical” letter requesting that 19 global oil producers begin taking financial responsibility for the costs of climate change, is Whistler ready to rejoin the fight? At its Dec. 17 meeting, council received a letter from the Georgia Straight Alliance and West Coast Environmental Law inviting it to “collaborate on accountability” for climate change.…

Letter to the Editor for the week of January 2

The real cost of Whistler’s Green 2010 Olympics DES heating systems As one of eight owners of Cheakamus Crossing townhouses who replaced their DES heat-pump system with a high-quality electric boiler with optional instant hot water heating coil, I can now look back and ask, “Were the claimed benefits of the heat-pump system realized and, more important, were the associated costs worth it?”…

If we want to preserve Whistler’s culture, we have to take ownership of it

In November, Mayor Jack Crompton called Whistler “middle-aged.” Although the resort’s top elected official was mostly referring to the need to update Whistler’s aging infrastructure, I’m reluctant to agree with his assessment.…

The New Year’s resolutions Whistlerites are making this year

From reducing your environmental impact to spending more time outdoors, make your resolutions stick by turning them into goals

By now, the champagne bottles are empty, the glitter and balloons have been swept up — it’s officially 2020.…

Federal scientists study how to adapt building codes to climate change

The National Research Council is completing a study on how changing weather will impact infrastructure

When storm winds howl and rivers flood, buildings take the brunt. And as climate change makes all kinds of extreme weather more frequent and more destructive, scientists at the National Research Council are trying to figure out how to ensure Canada’s built environment is ready.…

Grouse Mountain Resort sells for second time in two years

Northland Properties Corp. new owner

Pacific storm expected to hit Whistler this afternoon

Environment Canada issues special weather statement for Sea to Sky region

Another Pacific storm is heading Whistler’s way with heavy rain expected in the valley later today and up to 22 centimetres of fresh snow falling overnight tonight in the alpine. Environment Canada has issued a special weather statement for the south coast including Whistler with the storm expected to bring strong, warm southeasterly winds this afternoon.…

Whistler Secondary grads make the jump

Kamstra, Kristmanson adjusting with U Sports squads

Two 2019 Whistler Secondary School grads have decent odds at hoisting the Bronze Baby trophy as U Sports women’s basketball champions at the end of the season. Ayden Kristmanson, suiting up for Toronto’s Ryerson Rams, and Pietra Kamstra, with the McMaster Marauders, are both part of strong programs in their respective freshmen seasons.…

Meet the Anarchist Employment League

Whistler’s newest band offers chance for musician Peter Vogler to dig into back catalogue

To say Peter Vogler had a backlog of songs is a bit of an understatement. The long-time local musician actually had original material dating back—and spanning—25 years that had rarely seen the light of day.…

Climbing Everest at 68

Jim Geiger was at base camp when one of the worst disasters in mountaineering history occurred

The physical and mental challenges of climbing the world’s tallest mountain are formidable at any of age. But for older climbers—who must reckon with the fact that, despite extreme diligence in their training, their bodies have changed—it can be especially taxing.…