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What is happening with Garibaldi at Squamish?

An update on progress, plans and challenges

Former city planner and Squamish resident Sabina FooFat is on record as having opposed the earlier iteration of the Garibaldi at Squamish project. The previous plan for two golf courses, in particular, irked FooFat, who formerly worked for the District of Squamish for a decade and the City of Vancouver for five years.…

New book provides a deep dive into the ‘new normal’ for the ski industry

Ski Inc. 2020 charts the rise of Alterra Mountain Company as a competitor to Vail Resorts

A new book from a former U.S. ski resort executive takes a deep dive into the succession of business deals that has led to the modern ski industry, where mergers and acquisitions and multi-resort pass offerings are the name of the game. When Chris Diamond’s first book, Ski Inc., was released in December 2016, Vail Resorts was the dominant player in the industry.…

Three in five Canadians think voting should be mandatory in federal elections

When Scotland held a referendum on whether to become independent from the United Kingdom in 2014, a whopping 85% of eligible voters exercised their right to cast a ballot. This was a significantly high proportion for a Commonwealth country that does not observe compulsory voting.…

Mikayla Martin leaves a legacy—on and off the slopes

The Whistler Mountain Ski Club alum and rising ski cross star is remembered for her love of people and life

Eating fondue amid the snow at Elfin Lakes.…

Meadow Park boxing and fitness studio closed after heavy rain

Programs scheduled to resume on Wednesday

The boxing and fitness studio at Meadow Park Sports Centre is closed today after heavy rain on Monday flooded the building. Steel support columns and roof installation began on Monday as part of the centre’s expansion project, a Resort Municipality of Whistler spokesperson said.…

School district superintendent wins prestigious provincial award for district leadership

Lisa McCullough says award represents a ‘particularly special honour’

The superintendent of the Sea to Sky corridor’s school district has been singled out for a major provincial honour for her commitment to helping B.C. students succeed. Lisa McCullough, superintendent of School District 48 (SD48), was awarded one 10 Premier’s Awards for Excellence in Education at a ceremony in Victoria on Oct. 5.McCullough said that while she feels a tad “awkward” when it comes to receiving awards, she felt honoured to see the school district recognized for the significant advancements it has made in improving graduation rates in recent years.…

Grimwood brings ‘fresh’ take on federal campaign

Independent candidate talks new political party Canada Fresh

Rounding out the ballot for the Oct. 21 federal election is independent Terry Grimwood of Sechelt. Grimwood, 67, is no stranger to politics, having served two terms on North Vancouver city council at the age of 20, as well as mounting a bid for a federal seat in Burnaby South’s byelection last year (eventually won by NDP leader Jagmeet Singh).…

Catching up with Whistler’s Rhino candidate Gordon Jeffrey

As campaign rolls on, parody party candidate trades gimmicks for substance

Is Gordon Jeffrey—Whistler’s representative from the satirical Rhino Party in this month’s federal election—trading in his banana suit for a suit and tie? “Anyone who’s been at these all-candidates debates, the things I’ve been saying have been resonating with them,” Jeffrey said in an Oct. 6 interview at Blenz in Whistler.…

Big insurance-price jump for out-of-province drivers

ICBC unavailable to comment

Some part-time B.C. residents are in for sticker shock when they go to renew their vehicle insurance, thanks to new regulations brought into force in September. Under the new rules, aimed at helping Insurance Corp. of B.C. to improve its finances, part-time B.C. residents who hold a driver’s licence from another jurisdiction will no longer qualify for driver-experience discounts.…

Get Dat Dough skate jam deemed success

Sports briefs: Pemberton Speedway wraps season; MARTIN DIES IN MOUNTAIN-BIKING ACCIDENT

Organizers declared the second-ever Get Dat Dough skate jam at the Whistler Skate Park on Sept. 29 a success. Felix Dallaire estimated that roughly 50 competitors, mostly locals, came out to try to secure some of the $500 prize purse donated by local businesses.…

SLRD kicks off housing needs and demand study

Public engagement process underway

The Squamish-Lillooet Regional District (SLRD) is undertaking a new study to gain a deeper understanding of its housing needs and investigate potential solutions to any lack of accommodation. According to SLRD board chair Tony Rainbow, the regional district is facing the same type of housing challenges that Whistler and Squamish know all too well.…

Trudeau targeted in English leaders’ debate

Singh and May take jabs at one another as they battle over who will emerge Oct. 21 as the third party on Parliament Hill

Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau took the brunt of criticism from the other leaders in Monday night’s debate among the federal party leaders. Regardless of the question, the NDP’s Jagmeet Singh took every opportunity to repeat his favourite theme: that Liberals and Conservatives alike pander to wealthy corporations whereas the NDP will fight for ordinary Canadians with investments in child care, pharmacare and dental care.…

Sea to Sky candidates tackle accountability and the environment at all-candidates meeting in Gibsons

Meeting also talks strategic voting for federal election Oct.21

Sunshine Coast voters got their first chance to hear from the seven candidates in West Vancouver-Sunshine Coast-Sea to Sky Country over the weekend during the first of what will be a busy few days of all-candidates forums. The Oct. 5 forum at Harmony Hall was hosted by the Gibsons Chamber of Commerce and the Gibsons Seniors Society.…

BC Ferries adds a whopping 93 sailings over Thanksgiving long weekend

BC Ferries will add 93 extra sailings for Thanksgiving long weekend on routes between between Metro Vancouver, Vancouver Island and the Sunshine Coast. The ferry operator notes that Thanksgiving long weekend is traditionally the busiest weekend of the year for walk-on traffic.…

OPINION: Mandatory voting among remedies for low voter turnout in Canada

Across Canada, 58 per cent of residents would like to see Election Day declared a public holiday across the country.

When Scotland held a referendum on whether to become independent from the United Kingdom in 2014, a whopping 85 per cent of eligible voters exercised their right to cast a ballot. This was a significantly high proportion for a Commonwealth country that does not observe compulsory voting.…