Browsing “Community”

There are many prominent figures from our valley’s history whose names recur often on this blog and elsewhere: Myrtle & Alex Philip, Franz Wilhelmsen, Stefan Ples, Eldon Beck, Hugh Smythe, Florence Petersen, Nancy Greene & Al Raine, just to name a few. But one name which has not received its due is Jack Bright.

Jack Bright was the first General Manager of Whistler Mountain, and was a pivotal figure in the nascent ski resort’s quick rise as Canada’s premier ski resort. Sadly, we recently received word that Jack Bright passed away last week in Vancouver.

Franz Wilhelmsen hired Jack to run Whistler Mountain at the ripe old age of 28, a decision that turned out to be a resounding success. Considering Jack’s previous work experience was 5 years managing the tiny (and now-defunct) Pigeon Mountain ski area near Canmore, Alberta, Jack must have given a pretty good interview!

In any case, Jack turned out to be a marketing and management savant. Recognizing the power of celebrity and the draw of larger-than-life personalities, he managed to snag skiing superstar “Diamond” Jim McConkey to run the resort’s ski school, rental & retail operations.

A few years later in March 1971, at the height of “Trudeaumania” then Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau and his bride Margaret honeymooned at Whistler. Clearly, such esteemed guests required “above-and-beyond” service, so Jack and Jim McConkey served as the newly-weds personal ski instructors during their stay. Trudeau, a strong skier, returned to Whistler often, and Jack or Jim were always prepared to accompany him.

The publicity from such high-profile associations is hard to overstate, and foreshadows the prolific use of celebrity and athlete “ambassadors” that is common practice throughout the ski industry today. For more recent local examples, think Dave Murray ski camps, Mike Douglas “Embedded,” and local Olympic champions Ashleigh McIvor & Maelle Ricker, to name just a few.

Jack was also instrumental in arranging countless ski races, spring skiing parties, and other events to attract skiers and raise the resort’s profile, another example of his forward-thinking marketing mind. During his tenure, Jack oversaw Whistler Mountain’s quick ascent to the biggest and most renowned ski resort in the province.

One look at the Creekside Gondola line-up from the early 1970s is testament to Jack’s success at growing the resort. It was also Jack’s decision to institute a boarding-pass system, lift tickets that included a pre-scheduled up-load time, to take some of the sting off what could easily be a two or three-hour wait for the lifts.

More than just a promotions guru, Jack  also built and managed the Whistler Inn, one of the valley’s first hotels, was the inaugural president of the Canada WEst Ski Areas Association, he helped found the Whistler Chamber of Commerce, the Canada Day Parade and was the chair of Whistler’s first bank, the North Shore Credit Union.

He stopped working for Whistler Mountain in the mid-1970s, but stayed in town for some time, continuing to manage his hotel and various other community interests. He eventually moved to Vancouver where he remained an active and respected businessman, though he remained connected to the Whistler community and came back to ski and visit frequently.

Franz Wilhelmsen, an unidentified man, and Jack Bright (from l to r), overlooking their kingdom. early 1980s (after Jack had stopped working for Whistler Mountain).

In light of the recent Canucks disappointment, and as the great man said; “You miss 100 percent of the shots you never take.” -Wayne Gretzky. Without the courage, and perhaps insanity, to try something without a guarantee that it will be a successful endeavor, we can never really know for sure what we can achieve.

We all know what we gave up and what we gained from moving to Whistler. At some point 90% of us relocated here, whether for 6 months, 6 years or eternity, and never looked back. Well, some of them did, but that’s another story. Whistler has so much to offer in terms of work/life balance, opportunities in many industries, amazing culture (après included), and a year round ‘fantasy land’ reputation. Those of us fortunate enough to call this place home are surely in the 1% in terms of life happiness.

Sometimes, things come into our lives that shake it up a bit; a job opportunity, a lover, the travel bug, to name a few. These things should not just be ignored because of complacent satisfaction in the current situation, for as the age old saying goes, You Live Only Once.

Ladies, showing the world how Spring skiing is done, Whistler style

There will be opportunities, there will be changes, and I advise you, even if it seems tough, to seize them. Try something different, travel somewhere new, love someone else, work in a different country, because I guarantee it will solidify your relationship with Whistler and help you to recognize what made you fall in love with this place in the first instance.

Not saying at everyone feels like that, there’s thousands of people that are 100% happy and satisfied all the time here, and that’s not only frickin’ amazing but a testament to the awesome surroundings. However, some people may be more inclined to want for change, and when it comes, don’t be scared to take it, to run with it, to try it, to succeed or to fail at it. It’s all part of life, and learning and perhaps eventually, that road and journey will lead right back to where you started form.. Here.

Absolute perfection

After almost 7 years in Whistler, from boot fitting at Can-Ski, Wine Directing at the Chophouse and 3 years at the best company in town, Watermark Communications, I am heading south to try something new. I’ve always been a bit of a travel fiend, having grown up moving around, and love a new adventure, so San Francisco seems to have my name all over it. Why not head to a country where getting a work visa is tougher than the Canucks getting into the Stanley Cup finals (ouch, too soon?), where the economy is crashing faster than a Aussie on a 4-day bender, and where yearly rent, food, and living expenses are more than the National Debt. Why not? Because its an adventure, because I want to see where Kerouac was inspired, discover the Napa Valley, trail run Marin Headlands, walk the Golden Gate Bridge in the fog, listen to amazing live music, attend dance classes, try a new job in a booming industry, surf in Santa Cruz on my weekends, foster a new relationship, and so much more. I want to try, because if I don’t try at all then I’ll never know if I can succeed.

New beginnings

I’ve had absolutely the Time of My Life here in Whistler and it will ALWAYS be home, and I know I’ll be back (multiple times.. You can’t get rid of me that easily) but I just want to thank the Whistler Is Awesome crew, especially Michelle Leroux and Jeremy Postal for giving me the opportunity to be Miss Whis and spew words all over your computer screen, and for believing in me despite my connection to Australia. Cheers mates!

I want to thank Mountain Life Mag, namely FEET BANKS and Todd Lawson for also giving me a chance and supporting my mediocre writing skills. You’ve been not only great editors and mentors but great friends. I hope to keep working with you guys in the future!

A big Froning sized bear hug to my family at Crossfit Whistler. I know I’m loud, I know I dance at inappropriate times, I know I’m not the best, the worst, or the favourite, but you guys have all made me feel very appreciated and pushed me to do my absolute best during my 2 years at Crossfit, and I hope to bring a bit of Whistler to the San Fran box. You know, show ‘em how it’s done..

Huge ups to coaches Jordan, Jayde and Rob; thanks for all your support and perseverance. I am amazed at my improvement and it’s all because of you guys.

Cheers to my amazing team at Watermark, to Sue and Jasmine, JJ and Amy, Rob and Jaime, Kevani and Mei, Esther and Lilli; you guys have been my family and my mentors for the past 3 years. Being in your presence and working on the World Ski and Snowboard Festival and Cornucopia has taught me more than I could imagine and you’ve become unquestionably the best team and the best job I will probably ever have. This isn’t the end..

Watermark crew on the closing day of WSSF 2013

Last but not least, all my FRIENDS. You know who you are, and you’ve made the reasons why I’ve stayed in Whistler so pertinent. You guys have been the rocks on which we’ve all built lives here and I promise I’ll be back, more often than you’d like probably.

If anyone’s in San Francisco, please look me up, I’ll probably still be unemployed and have a bunch of time on my hands so we can hang out!

Peace Whistler, it’s been an absolutely pleasure. Jess Xox

“20 years from now you will be disappointed by the things you didn’t do than by the one’s you did. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.” – Mark Twain

In the very early hours of May 4 Whistler’s fire department attended a huge fire that had fully consumed a home in Alpine Meadows.  Apparently that was home to 16 tenants and they have lost every possession to their names in the flight to get out of a house that literally burned to the ground and has been bulldozed away.  Aava Whistler is currently their home as they begin to put their lives back together and to that end, you can help.

If you are spring cleaning these 15 guys and one girl are in need of clothing, shoes, and personal items like cell phones, laptops, backpacks, toiletries, items for their new place when they secure a new place to live, etc. If you can help, please drop off your donation to Aava’s front desk.

Spring in Whistler is so full of distractions (skiing, biking, golfing, climbing, WSSF, Dine In Whistler…) you might be excused if you hadn’t noticed that a provincial election campaign is well underway.

Regardless of your level of awareness, the election is happening May 14th, and it matters. Want proof? Well if it weren’t for some very heavy involvement by our provincial government three decades ago, Whistler as we know it simply would not exist.

By 1980 the highway from Vancouver had finally been paved, the RMOW had been formed, a recently opened Blackcomb Mountain was shaking up the global ski scene, and construction was well underway turning Eldon Beck’s vision for Whistler Village into reality.

But what should have been a time to rejoice was quickly turning into a nightmare scenario.

A major recession hit North America in late 1981. The economy was failing, real estate sales plummetted, interest rates were in the %20-%25 range, and the Whistler Village Land Company (the provincial crown corporation set up to oversee the development of Whistler Village) was on the verge of bankruptcy. As long-time Whistlerite and ski-resort-management guru Peter Alder recalls, the mood was so pessimistic that a common catchphrase around town was “Last person leaving Whistler, please turn out the lights.”

At this point much of the original village (which spans from Skier’s Plaza to the pedestrian bridge over Village Gate boulevard) had been built, but several buildings remained in varying states of construction: exposed re-bar, concrete foundations, and boarded-up windows were everywhere. There was a serious risk that the original plan for the village would be abandoned, undeveloped lots would be sold off to recover debts, and these properties would then be developed without any over-arching design.

Thankfully, the provincial government, then led by Bill Bennett Jr.’s Social Credit Party, began investigations to see whether saving Whistler was worthwhile. Satisfied that Whistler wasn’t a lost cause, accomplished and well-connected BC businessman Chester Johnson was put in charge of a restructured Whistler Land Company, with $21 million of provincial funds to kickstart the reboot.

Mr. Johnson’s determined leadership was just what the doctor ordered. He oversaw the reconstruction of the conference centre so that it better suited the resort’s needs, fought off calls to bring in a casino, while respecting the architectural sensibilities of the original Whistler Village design. By 1984 some normalcy was returning to the situation, and Whistler was once again set upon a successful bearing.

It’s hard to say what exactly would have happened had the BC government chosen not to intervene (a politically expedient decision at the time; recall the wide-ranging calls for austerity following the 2008 recession) is impossible to predict, but it was clear at the time, and perhaps even moreso in hindsight, that the decision would have a huge influence on Whistler’s future.

All that to say: those who think that provincial politics have no impact inside our cozy little Whistler bubble… you’re wrong. There are many more examples than the above story, but probably none so dramatic.

From bitumen pipelines, natural gas plants, and IPP hydro facilities, to tourism promotion, post-secondary education, healthcare funding, our rising deficit, arts & culture and more, there are many contentious issues at play in the upcoming election. Make sure to come out to Monday’s all-candidates meeting at the Whistler Public Library, where you’ll have a chance to ask pointed questions and get informed on the issues that matter most to you.

Then make sure you’re registered, and show up to vote on May 14th at the Whistler Conference Center, courtesy of Chester Johnson.

For more stories from Whistler’s past check the Whistler Museum’s blog!

Words by Bear Smart Director Sylvia Dolson, FOB (friend-of-the-bears). Photo credits: Get Bear Smart Society. 

Whistler’s bears are not tame bears. They are once wild bears whose response to a repeated neutral stimulus – us – has diminished their wildness over time. Why? Because there’s just a lot of us around and it just takes less energy for animals to ignore non-threats than to run away or climb a tree every time they encounter us.

This form of acclimation, human-to-bear can be tricky: it’s easy for us to get a little too comfy around acclimated bears, which can lead to carelessness. Especially if you’re one person is a crowd, in say, the middle of the Village, in the dark at 2 am, with a possibility of alcohol involvement .While there’s strength in numbers, your group may still be at a disadvantage. And while, no one has ever been seriously hurt by a bear, even in these exact circumstances, the bear’s life is almost always cut short.

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Roller Derby made its debut in Whistler during the World Ski and Snowboard Festival, with the Whistler Black Diamond Betties facing off against the Squamish Sea to Sky Sirens in front of over 1000 spectators. By half time the Black Diamond Betties were down over 50 points to the Sea to Sky Sirens who had their talented assistant captain “Honey Badger” on an unstoppable tear. In the second period they made a slow- yet steady comeback and in the last jam they were down by a mere 10 points. Lead Jammer “Princess Slaya” of the Black Diamond Betties came through for her team scoring a massive 18 points for her team to take the win. Here are some photos of the event.

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Highlights So Far Include: World Skiing Invitational Big Air and Slopestyle, Free Outdoor Concert Featuring Nas, and Whistler’s Black Diamond Betties Victory At Vengeance In The Valley

 The first half of the World Ski and Snowboard Festival (WSSF) in Whistler, BC has been an adrenaline-fueled and action-packed, five days; but that was only the beginning. There are still five more days of sport, art, music and fashion to come at WSSF, with the action continuing day and night right through to Sunday, April 21.

Looking ahead to what is still in store at the World Ski and Snowboard Festival:

• The Shred Show, presented by Monster Energy, will take place April 18 to 20. Snowboarding events include the Boarderstyle on Blackcomb Mountain Thursday, April 18; the Slopestyle on Blackcomb Mountain Friday, April 19; and the Big Air in Skiers Plaza at the base of Whistler Mountain on Saturday April 20. Both the Slopestyle and Big Air contests will be World Snowboard Tour 5 Star Events. Live scoring and results will be available online at http://live.eim-solutions.com/shredshow2013.
• The OLYMPUS Pro Photographer Showdown will take place on Thursday, April 18 in the Whistler Conference Centre. This year’s competitors who will be competing for $10,000 include: Andy Wright, Bryan Ralph, Chris Burkard, Darcy Bacha, and Oskar Enander.
• Intersection, presented by Bromley Baseboards will take place in the Whistler Conference Centre on Friday, April 19. The four competing teams have had seven days to shoot, edit and produce a five to seven minute action sports film. The teams competing for the $15,000 grand prize this year include Heart Films, Leo Zuckerman, Nuulife Cinema and Voleurz.
• The WSSF late night party circuit will wrap up with The END at the Whistler Conference Centre on Saturday, April 20. Featuring performances from The Funk Hunters, Luke McKeehan, SkiiTour and Neighbour, doors to The END will open at 10pm and the party will continue until 4am, Sunday morning. Tickets to The END are still available at the Whistler Activity Centre.
• The Outdoor Concert Series will also continue throughout the rest of the World Ski and Snowboard Festival, with free shows from K-OS, Swollen Members, Arkells and more. For the full schedule of events still to come at WSSF and for information on how to purchase tickets, visit www.wssf.com. Read more

Among the leading ladies to really influence the world of women’s snowboarding through snowboarding’s metoric rise to popularity is Squamish local Megan Pischke, mother of two adorable children, and wife to YES Snowboards’ David Carrier-Porcheron (DCP). An innovator and among the first female rider’s to turn heads with her riding style, Megan’s passion for life goes far beyond her snowboard career.

As a long-time ambassador of Boarding For Breast Cancer, Megan has been an inspiration and advocate for women battling breast cancer and has been forefront in leading B4BC’s Re:Treat Yourself wellness retreats for survivors of breast cancer. Last year Megan was also diagnosed with breast cancer and entered into her own journey of recovery. Through it all, Megan’s approach to life is as infectious as ever and her story an inspiration.

On Wednesday, April 17 at the World Ski & Snowboard Festival friends, industry heads, artists, musicians, and supporters are gathering for a fundraiser dubbed “B4BC4Megs” in a show of solidarity for Megan and her family. We caught up with Megs to chat about the fundraiser, life after diagnosis, and what inspires her. Here’s her interview.

Photo by Rebecca Amber

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In such a small town, with so many passionate, but transitional, workers, visitors and guests, it comes as no surprise that news travels fast, and often changes its tune at the drop of a toque. Rumours run rampent and are often misinterpreted, miscommunicated and misunderstood. Thus, it sometimes become apparent that someone needs to step forward and either quash or rectify the situation. So, here we are!

The World Ski and Snowboard Festival was created 18 years ago to increase the appeal of Whistler Resort during the then-quiet April shoulder season.

Today, the Festival has brought the month of April well into the folds of Whistler’s peak winter season, and has made Whistler by all accounts the busiest resort in the world during this month.

Here, we will delve into the intricate background and FAQ’s that people have about this wonderfully magical time of year. I urge you to submit any other questions, queries and conundrums and we will endeavour to smooth out the creases as best we can.

1. The Festival is not happening this year becuase TELUS is no longer the title sponsor. – This is a hard NO. The Festival, now known as the World Ski and Snowboard Festival (or WSSF, or just The Festival) is definitely going ahead, April 12-21, 2013. The Festival is still in partnership with other major sponsors including Olympus, Dose.ca, Monster Energy, Coca Cola and Bud Light, as well as community, hotel and media sponsors locally and nationally. Read more

The World Ski and Snowboard Festival relies on about 300 amazing and tireless volunteers to pull off one of the largest and most exciting festivals in North America every year. Amongst the Operations, Music, Media, Alpine and Accreditation volunteers are the creative cats of the bunch; the volunteer Bloggers and Photographers. These are coveted positions, covering the festival from the inside out, and getting involved and up close at every twist and turn. And in a fortunate turn of events for 2013, there are still 2 or 3 blogging positions open and available to a select souple of amazing and dedicated writers!

This is a great chance to connect with the Festival attendees, staff and other volunteers, whilst honing your blogging skills and getting along to a number of parties, contests and events! Ideally you should be located in Whistler for the duration of the festival (April 12-21) and be available to cover a variety of events from arts to sports to music. Individuality and humour is much appreciated and we like, short, snappy and passionate blog posts, preferably once a day, but schedule and requests will be taken into consideration.

Interested parties should send a writing sample, and your contact details, along with any queries, to Laura at lgallant@whistlerblackcomb.com or Jess at jsmith@watermarkinc.ca to be considered for the position(s).