Blog

Whistler Search and Rescue working to safeguard mental health of volunteers

The days when you would ‘finish up the call and go home’ are over, says WSAR manager

Being a part of a search-and-rescue team can expose you to a host of situations that can challenge your mental wellbeing. And while in the old days, it may have been common to simply “forget about it” and move on, things are drastically different today.…

Sorry you’re not sorry

In the film Canadian Bacon, there’s an iconic scene where John Candy plows through a festival crowd in Toronto, sending bodies flying in all directions—and everybody he pushes over apologizes to him. It was a joke based on a stereotype, the absurd politeness of Canadians, but there was a nugget of truth to it.…

Norris and Benbow take top spots in Saudan Couloir

First Look: Jordy Norris inches out Robbie Dixon for first place, with ideal racing conditions

There were ideal conditions for the Saudan Couloir Race Extreme on Friday, April 12, with bluebird visibility and snow that was just soft enough to dig an edge into. Jordy Norris and Brynne Benbow took top spots in the men’s and women’s pro categories, respectively.…

B.C. introduces law to require cars, trucks sold by 2040 be zero emission

Zero Emission Vehicles Act aims to phase out gas-powered vehicles

All light-duty cars and trucks sold in British Columbia would have to be zero-emission by 2040 under legislation tabled Wednesday. Energy Minister Michelle Mungall says the Zero Emission Vehicles Act aims to fight climate change by phasing out gas-powered vehicles.…

Music lineup announced for Whistler’s Great Outdoors Festival

Corb Lund, Said the Whale and Lazy Syrup Orchestra among artists slated for May-long weekend celebration

The lineup for Whistler’s Great Outdoors Festival has been unveiled, and will feature headliners Corb Lund, Said the Whale, and Lazy Syrup Orchestra along with a plethora of outdoor activities when the sixth annual event returns to the resort on May long weekend. The free outdoor concert series held at Village Square will be kicked off by Juno-winning alt-country singer-songwriter Corb Lund on Friday, May 17 at 7:30 p.m.…

Mountain bike photographer wins Pro Photographer Showdown

Ale Di Lullo takes home $10,000 prize

Italian freeride mountain bike photographer Ale Di Lullo won the 2019 Pro Photographer Showdown on Thursday, April 11. The title of “Best in Show” came with a $10,000 prize.…

From Brian Wilson to Joseph Haydn, Joe Trio brings eclectic spin on chamber music

Vancouver piano trio performs at Our Lady of the Mountains Catholic Church on Sunday, April 14

If you’ve yet to attend one of
the Whistler Chamber Music Society’s concerts, Joe Trio on April 14 might be the show for you. Yes, they’re classical musicians who play piano, cello and violin, but they also perform “Bohemian Rhapsody,” play old TV show theme songs posing as different classical composers, and, occasionally, shower the audience in candy.…

Elson, Toth Ohler capture Darkside Skimo wins

Course change necessary for ski-mountaineering event

As national champions and fixtures in the global ski mountaineering scene, Darkside Skimo champions Nick Elson and Kylee Toth Ohler are used to adjusting on the fly. The national team members, who emerged as the men’s and women’s champion, respectively, in the April 6 event on Blackcomb Mountain, said with the conditions present on race day, they were thrilled organizers found a way to make the race happen safely.…

Zero Ceiling looks to expand housing, programming

non-profit raised more than $300K in 2018, which helped in adding two new full-time positions

Zero ceiling, a Whistler-based charity dedicated to eradicating youth homelessness, enjoyed a banner year in 2018—and now has its sights set on further expansion. Founded in 1988, Zero Ceiling operates two core programs: Work 2 Live, which provides 12 months of supportive housing in Whistler, employment and one-to-one support to youth aged 19 to 24 to help them build healthy, productive lives; and its Adventure Sessions program, which invites youth aged 16 to 24 from the Sea to Sky and Lower Mainland to learn a mountain sport in Whistler.…

Rapid warming deserves more than a lukewarm response

Another week, another dramatic warning from scientists—met with shrugs all around. This time, a report commissioned by Environment and Climate Change Canada, “Canada’s Changing Climate Report,” warned that this country is warming at roughly twice the global average rate, even more in the North and on the Prairies.…

Mountain News: Howling wolves and cats prowling too

JASPER, Alberta—From Vail to Jasper, cougar sightings have been common this winter along the crest of the Rocky Mountains. In Jasper, Steve Young, spokesman for Parks Canada, told the Jasper Fitzhugh that the town lies within a travel corridor for the animals, so sightings are not at all unusual.…

Housekeeping on comprehensive zoning bylaw

Council briefs: Sponsorship of fundraisers

photo by Alyssa Noel The Village of Pemberton (VOP) council passed readings one and two of housekeeping measures on its recently passed comprehensive zoning bylaw during its April 2 regular council meeting.…

Whistler Cup starting April 11

New U14 team relay, Norway’s return among 2019 highlights for 27th edition

The runs are groomed, the international athletes have arrived and plenty of the world’s best ski racers aged 12 to 15 are set to go at the 27th edition of the Mackenzie Investments Whistler Cup. There are a few minor tweaks to this year’s event, as the Parade of Nations through Whistler Village will move to Thursday, April 11 at 5 p.m. from its traditional Friday slot to avoid conflict with the World Ski and Snowboard Festival.…

The gloves are off on housing

I’d like to begin this week’s column by, uncharacteristically, apologizing. I’m apologizing for last week’s column, “Housing solutions need creativity,” April 4.…

The Spiritual Warriors keep Lil’wat language alive in new album

Mount Currie reggae group releases new album, Ancestors

Leroy Joe was determined to make another album. His band Kalan Wi released their debut record, Celebrate, back in 2012 and it went on to win Best Historical/Linguistic album at the Native American Music Awards, as well as earn a nomination for Best World Recording, followed by another nod in the same category at the Western Canadian Music Awards.…