When: Monday October 29th, 7:30pm

Where: Millennium Place

Who: Everyone!

Cost: $10 advance tickets, $12 same day. Tickets can be purchased at Millennium Place, or by calling 604-935-8410

Debate, Discuss, and Decide Upon the Merits of Backcountry Access

The Whistler Museum, WhistlerIsAwesome.com and the Whistler Arts Council are excited to announce the second installment in the Whistler Debates events series: PRESERVATION vs POW: The Backcountry Access Debate.

Think the Spearhead Huts are the greatest idea since fat skis? Does the ongoing rush to the backcountry risks spoiling the solitude (and fresh pow) that draws us out there in the first place? How do we best maintain a relationship with wilderness in our increasingly urban, on-line world? If you have ever pondered such matters, this night is for you.

The debate will take place at Millennium Place, where the ongoing Out of Bounds: Tales from the Backcountry photography competition will provide an inspiring visual backdrop for this thought-provoking evening. As the snow line creeps down to the valley and stoke builds for the fast-approaching winter, come watch prominent members of the self-propelled community debate the merits of improved access to that rugged and remote paradise, the backcountry.

Event sponsored by: Escape Route Whistler

Featured debaters:

“Garage Sale” Frank Salter – This local character is best known for his personal collection of historic ski gear, one of the largest in the world, which was featured in the latest issue of Powder magazine. But did you know that this “backcountry posterboy” has also been featured in numerous published magazine articles, photographs, and yes, even on a beer coaster? Frank is full of surprises, and always entertains.

Alex Wigley – An endurance athlete, member of the Canadian National Ski Mountaineering Team (2009-2012) avalanche course instructor, and ACMG Assistant Ski Guide. Alex currently concentrates his time on training, skiing, shooting mountain photography, and updating his ski-mountaineering blog “Ski Theory.” www.skitheory.blogspot.ca

Michel Beaudry – He’s an alpine poet, a backcountry bard. He’s a critic, a philosopher… an enthusiastic promoter of all things self-propelled. He’s also been writing award-winning stories on mountain life for the last thirty years. Beaudry’s column, Alta States, appears every week in Pique Newsmagazine.

Wayne Flann – Wayne is a veteran Blackcomb ski patroller, avalanche forecaster, search & rescue volunteer, safety consultant for the film industry, and member of the Canadian Ski Guides Association. This guy knows his stuff. For the last year he has been helping keep the backcountry community in the know through his snow safety blog: http://www.wayneflannavalancheblog.com

About Whistler Debates: 

Whistlerites self-identify as informed, opinionated, and outspoken. We’re going to put this assumption to the test. Inspired by the Doha Debates, our aim is to provide a forum for respectful, informed dialogue on wide-ranging topics of local or general interest. Debates will take place year-round and coincide with ongoing festivals and events. All debates will feature a strong audience participation component, so come armed with an opinion, an open mind, and a desire to engage with some of the most pressing topics of our times.