Browsing “Lounging With Locals”

“Gnarlia” is the type of girl that can only be found in the Sea2Sky. Born on the island and with a place in Whistler, she was pretty much born on skis and raised in the wild. There are helpless girls  – and then there is Nadia: Combine a DIY-and-get-it-done attitude with a broiling passion for skiing and snowmobiling, she is that friend that, when my truck broke down, didn’t hesitate to hustle my sled backwards as a third one onto her double deck so I wouldn’t miss a Pow Day. She just does what needs to be done – even if that involves dragging her dad up Whistler and getting him to shoot her hit Air Jordan. Yep, that’s right.

Only 24 years old, she has quite legendary reputation: known as the girl with the bleeding bottom (from getting avalanched over a cliff onto rocks on the Hurley and then pinning it home past some snowboard crews), or the one that ghost-rid her sled “almost” into a photographer (“There’s no way the sled would have gotten even close”), to the girl that gets VERY upset when people roop into an area that she is shooting on – there always seems to be some kind of story to accompany the encounter.

Fact is: Nadia works hard out there, on every end possible: Multitasking film and photo cameras, her  skis and snowmobile, being Operations Level 1 Avalanche Safety certified, … the list goes on…

Stoked to spend another season riding and shooting with Nadia – never a dull moment out there with this chick around!

-Vera Janssen

1.  How long have you been in Whistler full time and what do you love most about it? 

I moved to Whistler at 15 to pursue ski-racing, Whistler had the best training facilities and programs available. I’m Island born and raised, not sure too many people have ever heard of “Campbell River” haha. I guess I’ve never really looked back, Whistler has everything I want. Since then I have raced Ski Cross at the international level, competed in Big Mountain Extreme competitions, and dabbled in Snowmobiling.

2. What kinds of things are you writing about for WIA?  

I’ve tried to focus on unconventional stories and features for Whistler is awesome. Event coverage and top athlete standard profiles are done and by every outlet. I wanted to capture a more relate-able, real side of Whistler. The young families who are also professional athletes, the shop owners and employees. Patrollers and ski guides, the people who make Whistler what it is.

3. You’re a bit of an adrenaline junkie, what scares you? 

The thought of not being able to push my limits and do what I love scares me the most. I love scaring myself, the thought of being stuck in a wheelchair unable to move neck down or working a desk job the rest of my life is more terrifying than any cliff huck to me.

4. Where do you spend the most time? On your sled, on your skis, or behind the camera lens? 

It really depends on what’s going on at the time, I spent a lot of time sledding, and sled-skiing in the backcountry as the access here is unparalleled. I do however ski resort a lot too as I’ve been skiing on Blackcomb since I was 2. We’re pretty spoiled here. My camera almost always comes with me as you never really know what the day will bring.

5. Any big goals for the winter? 

This winter I’m filming with HighMark films for “Fourcast 3″, a snowmobile movie and also filming for “Pretty Faces”, an all female ski Movie produced by Lynsey Dyer. I’d like to put together two segments that I can be proud of by the end of the winter. It takes a lot for that to come together, you need ideal snow and weather conditions, your body & machine in top shape, and the filmer and the athlete have to both nail the line. It’s a lot of work, and there’s a lot that goes on behind the scenes that most people never see. Mostly hours of wrenching, physio and emails coordinating shoots… the not-so-glorious side of being an athlete.

6. When the snow’s gone, what keeps you busy? 

When the snow melts, I’m a student at Simon Fraser University May through December majoring in Health Science and Minoring in International Studies – conflict and crisis resolution. I keep taking 5+ courses and then regretting it by the time mid-terms come along, but hey… it keeps me extremely busy and I love a challenge. I also enjoy downhill biking, soccer, crossfit and fishing when there is no snow around.

7. Shout outs? 

I’d like to give a big shout out to my father for putting me on skis, and being extremely supportive of my goals through all the ups and downs. Thank you Jeff Schmuck for all your help and support over the years, along with all the photographers I’ve worked with who helped inspire me to pick up a camera myself. Thank you Jorli Ricker for supporting female snowmobiling and including two female athletes in his productions. I’d like to give a big shout out to Atomic for sticking with me through my ski racing, ski cross careers and continuing to support me with my big mountain skiing. I’d also like to thank all my other sponsors: Sessions Outerwear, Electric Visual, Reusch, WIDSIX, HMK USA, RSI Racing, Cheetah Factory Racing, LimeNine, C&A Pro Skis, and GoPro. Chris and everyone at Whistler Blackcomb have also been phenomenal to me over the years as well.

Tell us about yourself.

89 per cent of the time I’m thinking about what the weather’s like, boys, what I’m missing out on, how much I hate FOMO, my friends, my family, my dog, when the snow’s gunna fall, what my next Instagram will be, what time is too early to pour myself a drink…

The other 11 per cent I’m sleeping!

Tell us an interesting Whistler story.

There are so many, but this one is funny! My Dad’s nickname is Piggy, so we had a lot of excess pig memorabilia hanging around. One April Fools in the 90’s the Nicoll family headed up Whistler Mountain, hammer, nails, and wooden pigs in hand and put them all over Pig Alley, on the sign and in the trees. The pigs remain there to this day!

What makes Whistler awesome?

Have you seen the two mountains we have here??

Whistler has so much more to offer than anywhere else I have traveled to. We have those mountains, lakes, restaurants, underground bars, valley trail, bike trails, the River of Golden Dreams, hiking trails, farmers market, friendly people, friends, family, memories, the list just goes on and on!!

What is Whistler’s best kept secret?

If I tell you I would have to kill you! The first rule of Whistler is to keep the secrets SECRET! All the people, really that’s what makes Whistler, Whistler! I love this community and always will!

What do you really want to say to the world?

Be kind to one another!

Smile and pass it along, life’s too short!

Get outside and play!

DO BETTER!

http://www.facebook.com/MercedesNicollProSnowboarder

http://twitter.com/mercedesnicoll

www.mercedesnicoll.com

Anastasia Chomlack photo

Tell us about yourself.
I’m originally from Northern Ireland, but my family immigrated to Canada back when I was a kid. Thanks Mom and Dad! I’ve be skateboarding and snowboarding for most of my life and it’s because of snowboarding that I met the girl I would marry and now live in Whistler. We came out for a season back in ‘98 and 14 years, a wedding, and two kids later we’re still here! I don’t get to spend as many days shredding as I used to, but luckily my job at Tourism Whistler involves some on-hill ‘work’ related activities!

Ken Achenbach photo

Tell us an interesting Whistler story.
I worked at the Camp of Champions summer snowboard camp for a few years and one summer we were hosting a night shoot in our terrain park for the DC team. As a kid who grew up snowboarding and idolized all the riders in the magazines and videos. One of those riders was Todd Richards who was riding for DC and was at the shoot. While waiting for the shoot to start, Todd and Travis Parker were having a hand-plant session on a quarter pipe and it was going off! I was helping set up the shoot, but couldn’t resist asking if I could join them and to my surprise they said yes! The next thing I knew I was sessioning the quarter pipe with these two iconic riders, one of whom was a long time idol, and I even got some cheers from them. As cliche as it sounds, the dreams of a young grom came true that night.

Anastasia Chomlack photo

What makes Whistler Awesome?

Everything! But I think its greatest asset is its people, plus we also have a pretty rad blog to remind us what is so awesome about Whistler.

What is Whistler’s best kept secret?
Stormy powder days. The blue bird days look great in the photos, but nothing beats a stormy pow day on the mountain with your friends.

Mike Crane photo

What do you really want to say to the world? To Whistler?
Regardless of where you live or what you do, always try to squeeze a little fun in your day. Life is short to spend it all working, so make sure you make time to do thing things you love, with the people you love.

Tell us about yourself.

I grew up on a mixed beef cattle and grain farm in rural Saskatchewan. I went to the University of Regina on an entrance scholarship in music performance (clarinet major, bass trombone minor) but tough economic times found me moving to Banff to work for the summer in’96, halfway through my degree, and I stayed for 11 years. Like any starving artist/musician I ended up working in restaurants and one of my first roommates worked part time at the Banff wine store and would bring home cheap but tasty bottles for us to try on occasion. This was the start of a career interest in wine which has ultimately landed me my sweet job as Wine Director at Araxi. Being a native flatlander it wasn’t until my third winter in Banff that I decided to join the winter fun and take up snowboarding. I got hooked on it pretty fast and starting racing snowboard cross for fun.

My last winter in the Rockies (07) I took the season off work and shredded the NorAm circuit throughout North America. At the end of the season as we prepared to race the finals on the Olympic test course at Cypress I met a Whistler boy in the parking lot who was also racing and, like me, attending the Vancouver Playhouse Wine Festival later that afternoon. I knew within the first ten minutes how it was all going to turn out, but resisted Whistler for awhile.

Eventually I needed a job and when the Araxi gig came up a couple months into my relationship with Whistler man (he’s been here like 18 years) I couldn’t hold out any longer. Five years later and I’m still stoked on the guy and the job, and though I cried for the first two years because I was so homesick for Banff, now I’m pretty stoked on Whistler too! Downhill mountain biking was the real game changer for me. I’m so addicted and there is no better place to do it than here!!!!!

Tell us an interesting Whistler story.
Because I missed out on spending any of my crazy 20′s in Whistler, some of my most interesting random stories don’t apply. I am known though to over use the phrase ‘true story’ and love to tell long stories to anyone who will listen. Please, meet me for some Riesling and I’ll tell you all kinds of stuff! What I do want to mention for my Whistler story is probably the happiest moment in my life. After two crazy weeks of events, emotions and energy that had to be experienced to be believed, plus some insanely long work days and thousands of great moments (and a few hundred pins), I shared in that perfect celebration singing the Canadian anthem with Blue Rodeo and several thousand other people in the middle of village square on February 28, 2010. I still get teary remembering that amazing celebration of the last Olympic gold of 2010, and there is nowhere else I would’ve rather been than here to experience it all. Whistler knows how to celebrate better than anywhere.

What makes Whistler Awesome?
Summer. Winter. Whistler Bike Park!!!! Lost Lake. Valley Trail. Fitz Creek running through my backyard. White Gold!! Blackcomb tree riding. Riding my cruiser bike to work. Amazing people who do amazing things. Community. Mushrooms (the fungus among us). Skunk cabbages, especially in the spring. Bluebird pow days on 7th. Freight Train after a rain. Getting really, really dirty on my bike,going home for a shower,then putting on a super pretty dress and going to work. Nester’s. Some of the most beautiful trees in the world. Super cool female role models like Sue A and Fiona F and so many others. Diversity, individuality and inclusiveness. The village. The local wine nerds. ‘Splitboard stoker’ and all around great guy Jamie May. My team at Peak Performance. Women’s nights in the bike park. Swimming in clear, fresh water all summer long.

What is Whistler’s best kept secret?
I’m not sure these are really secrets, but I have a rad vegetable garden in my backyard in White Gold. You can grow amazing things in Whistler! DO IT!!!! Also, the outside bar at Araxi – some of the best people watching in town (all year round) and a great spot to make friends with me and get an awesome glass of wine at a fair price. There are other local secrets but you really do need to make friends with me before I can tell

What do you really want to say to the world? To Whistler?
Dear world, Whistler has something for everyone. Whether you even know how to ride a bike at all, this is the best bike destination in the world, all styles and all levels. We also have, true story, some of the best food anywhere in the world, most of it coming from our local region, and as others have mentioned, great quality and plentiful water to boot. Activities and relaxation opportunities abound. We live here to make your day. That means that we get the opportunity to enjoy this amazing place every day, too!

Whistler, I really do want to be friends with all of you. If you’re strolling through the village, stop by and say hello. If you see me on the chair, well, maybe we can take a lap or two together. It’s really all of us that make Whistler the awesome place that it is!

Tell us about yourself.

I originally came to Whistler for a summer ski camp. After the week was over, I stayed. That was 20 years ago and I don’t see myself leaving anytime soon. I work in the hospitality industry first and then moved into construction. After gaining years of experience working on a variety of projects, with the suggestion of some close friends, I decided to launch myself into a new venture and I have now opened my own home inspection business. Unfortunately the years of hard skiing have damaged my body but I still get out and enjoy what our “bubble” offers.

Tell us an interesting Whistler story.

If you have been in Whistler for a long time, you probably know two Slinkys: Me and Slinky, the Taxi Driver.

Turns out we have a few other things in common that could confuse people. He drove a cab, I drove limousines. He has been here for 20 ½ years; I’ve been here for 20. He worked at the now-closed Howe Sound Pub; I worked at the Howe Sound Brewing Company. Funny coincidences, eh?

So years ago, I was sitting in Merlin’s, enjoying a few beverages after my day shift behind the bar. Someone calls the bar phone asking to speak to Slinky. The bartender flags me over and I take the call. It was ICBC looking to follow up with the other Slinky. “You’ve got the wrong Slinky,” I say. “Did you work at the Howe Sound Pub? We called the Howe Sound Pub and they directed us to your new employment.”

“No!” I reply. “You called the Howe Sound Brewing Co. The Howe Sound Pub closed years ago and they are not related.” Well, you can imagine how the discussion went. These agents listen to all kind of stories and that’s a good one.

“You can’t fool us!” the agent insisted.  I say, “Call the cab company. You’ll see that I’m not bulls***ing you.” Well, they did and during my shift at Merlin’s a couple of days later, I got an apology phone call from the agent.  Two Slinkys in one small town can cause some serious confusion!

What makes Whistler awesome?

Whistler is an active, always going, not your normal life style of living. I always tell people: “I’m on vacation year round!” The fact that we can leave out our front doors and do a huge variety of amazing activities, that others have to travel here for, is what makes this place awesome. Grab my bike, off I go!  Short walk to the gondola, I am on the hill! Hot and sunny, meet me at the beach!  The fantastic quality of life here is incomparable to most other places around the world.

What is Whistler’s best kept secret?

Well, there have been many best kept secrets revealed over the years and I’m not the one to reveal them. Best kept secret one day; most popular place the next.  So what is the best kept secret you ask…. buy me a drink and I might open up.

What do you really want to say to the world? To Whistler?

To the world: Thank you for choosing Whistler for your vacations or quick getaway. Without you, many of us wouldn’t be able to work and make a living here. You give us this great opportunity to live in this awesome place. Keep coming back with your positive attitude.

To Whistler: I know it can be annoying at times when our playground gets busy. Remember what your mom and dad taught you in the sand box when you were a kid: Share your toys!

Cheers! Slinky

1. Tell us about yourself.
My heart has always belonged in the mountains. It began when my parents took me camping in Kananaskis when I was a wee little one. The love grew more when I started learning to ski at Wintergreen and later when I learned to snowboard at Sunshine, Kicking Horse and Fernie. I LOVE WINTER, A LOT!!!!! I love spending my days with friends playing in the snow, then enjoying evenings filled with delicious food and libations, and going on about the outstanding moments we shared together throughout the day. Dancing, snowboarding, laughing and accepting any kind of crazy adventure is the only way to live in my books. I am but a humble local living the BEST PLACE IN THE WORLD.

2. Tell us an interesting Whistler story.
Oh man… where do I begin. I guess I ‘ll start with what brought me here. I was debating which ski resort I wanted to move to. During my reading week in 2005 I came out to Whistler to visit my good friend and see if this was where I could see myself living. Two days after I returned home, I received an email in my inbox from the administrator at Snowboard.com who told me I was the winner of the TWSSF contest they hosted! “NO WAY!” I thought. These were a scam and no one ever actually won these things. But it was legit! I managed to somehow come inbetween my final exams with my best friend for five days. Six days after my last marketing final, I packed up my car and moved to Whistler. Now I have the most incredible job where I’m the one calling people to tell them they won a trip to Whistler. I get to inspire people to come and briefly enjoy what we experience on a daily basis.

3. What makes Whistler Awesome?
It’s everything including the spectacular scenery, incredible snow, beautiful summers, lakes, rivers, trees that never seem to end, fresh air, incredible tasting water, a Village like no other, food that will blow your taste buds into the new millennium, all kinds of unique and fun events, and most of all the locals. Seriously, Whistler consistently inspires all kinds of artists and athletes in ways that are beyond comprehension, but it’s the locals that really make Whistler what it is. Each person that comes to live here brings a special and unique energy that leaves an imprint that will forever change this town for the better. Whistler is awesome because of the jaw-dropping inspired beauty combined with the local flavour.

 4. What is Whistler’s best kept secret?
The “Holy F” moments! We all have them. The moments where your life feels like it just came out of the most epic movie. It’s that time you are at some peak/lake/river/trail with your crew and for a brief moment your life seems to slow down. You can’t help but smile and feel like the richest person on the planet. Cherish these moments. We, Whistlerites, are spoiled with them.

5. What do you really want to say to the world? To Whistler?
To the World: Please come and enjoy our home, but please do so with the same respect you would like to have in your own home. Let yourself be swept away by the magic that is this place. There are all kinds of adventures to be had, go, explore and be inspired.

To Whistler: It’s easy to get caught up in the grind of living here, but remember why you live here. Keep exploring so that you can share your stories and continue to inspire both our guests and other newbies that come here. NEVER forget the passion!!!!

1. Tell us about yourself.

I like to laugh. I like to be around other people that laugh…even if they are laughing at me (which isn’t always the initial desired effect)! Small towns and being part of a community has always been my life. I want to put in more than I take out of the system. I love people and helping make their day awesome (it means I get to be happy all the time out the deal too). Free hugs anytime!

2. Tell us an interesting Whistler story.

I pick up hitchhikers.  Sometimes I regret the stinky ones, but keeping the world a friendly place is worth it, and usually amazing conversations happen regardless of how long they may have worked for the circus. My first birthday in town, which had been random and fun, ended with picking up what I thought were four dudes in the cold November rain at 2am. Turned out to be four rad chicks that wanted to take me to an all night DJ bonfire party a block from home! I live by the rule that doing good comes back tenfold. Everyone should try it!

3. What makes Whistler awesome?

The ability to participate in nearly every summer and winter activity whether you are a rank beginner or a total ripper, and to feel good trying it all whatever your level. Take golfing at the Whistler Golf Club for instance – amazing right!? There’s my shameless plug for my glorious employer!  I do love golf, but also love all the other outdoor pursuits here.

4. What is Whistler’s best kept secret?

Rhinoceros!  Ok, maybe not much of a secret if you’ve been to one of my BBQs or birthday (suit) parties… another reference to total ripper! (Editors note: ask him for invite next time you see him to learn more!) Also, my brain works in mysterious ways, even to me, so be careful of what you say around me or I may just try and spin it, or ride it for a good time. That’s what she said…Oops!

5. What do you really want to say to the world? To Whistler?

The world is an amazing place to explore (I make sure to discover more every year) and Whistler is an amazing place to call home. I know it every morning when I wake up, and every night as I fall asleep, along with all the minutes in between. When the rest of the world finds out where I live, they make sure to let me know how awesome it is too, which confirms the choices I’ve made to settle here for the last decade. The Caddy Shack (name of my home) guest room seldom has vacancies, so that must be a good sign my network of family and friends love this place as much as I do! Don’t forget to sign the guestbook!

1. Tell us a bit about yourself.

I’m something of a rarity here: A Whistler Musician/Gamer. Like so many people, I came out west from Ontario (well, after a year in France), but my schooling was almost exclusively musical, so I settled in – and expected to stay in – Vancouver, studying to write scores for movies and living the artistic life (and playing excessive quantities of computer games, which are a lifelong passion of mine). I’d spend the occasional weekend in Whistler to ski. Then, I went to visit in early summer, and I decided Whistler was too awesome for visiting – I had to live there. Twelve years and a few interesting jobs later, I haven’t found any place I like better, so here I still am! I work at the Visitor Centre, so I get a lot of practice explaining why Whistler is awesome.

Photo by Anastasia Photography

2. Tell us an interesting Whistler story.

This isn’t a single story per se, but it is interesting, and it helps to explain part of why Whistler is awesome. Ever since I moved here, (and despite my bohemian tendencies), I’ve stumbled onto so many amazing people that have welcomed me into local community groups and events. I’ve had to be nudged, cajoled, bribed, even coerced into participating, but I’ve always been grateful for it – from the local choir, to a spiritual discussion panel, to being one of the youngest Rotary Club presidents in the world… Whistler draws you into its fabric, and enriches you for it.

3. What makes Whistler awesome?

Several things contribute to Whistler’s awesomeness. Certainly the beautiful area, the gorgeous unspoilt scenery, is a good start. Then, you have a town full of amenities, activities, events and entertainment that would usually be found in a town ten times its size. And of course, the people here understand the importance of healthy living, of balancing work and play, of community involvement…it’s wonderful. It’s awesome!

Photo by Anastasia Photography

4. What is Whistler’s best kept secret?

I’d have to say the sheer variety of things to do in the summer. People come here all the time in the summer, often just on someone’s suggestion, without any idea of the staggering variety of activities available. They might have heard about hiking or the Peak2Peak (which are both awesome), but when they ask if there’s “anything else” to do, they’re nearly always amazed at the number of other possibilities.

5. What do you really want to say to the world? To Whistler?

To the world, I’d like to say that we welcome you here, and that there’s plenty of great things to experience…just remember, one of the reasons that Whistler is awesome is that it’s not like a lot of other places. We don’t have big-box stores, our village is walking-oriented (not car-oriented), and the mountains are truly huge. Please respect that we’re trying to preserve nature here as much as possible, and that sometimes what seems like an inconvenience (like not having a parking lot at the Gondola base) is a part of that effort.

To Whistler, I’d like to say “thank you”, primarily. You’ve been a wonderful home and community for twelve years and counting; you’ve given me terrific friends, a choir, a community band, a Rotary Club, countless glorious days of fun and amusement, and especially, my beautiful wife. It’s been an awesome adventure, and I’m so happy and so grateful for all of it.

Tell us about yourself.

My Whistler story is the opposite of most people who move here for one season of winter fun and then carve out a lifestyle so that they can stay. I moved here for a job and then discovered all the excitement after I arrived! I was serious about my career in the city but my subconscious must have wanted a change because after a brief visit, I mentioned to a friend that I was interested in jobs in the resort. A few days later, he sent me a job posting and within a month, I was living in Whistler.

I was unsure about my sudden decision to change towns but I quickly met new friends who opened my eyes to the Whistler lifestyle. Within my first year: I skied after a 12 year break, learned how to snowboard, explored the fine art of après, took up cross country skiing, trail rode my mountain bike, and finally just relaxed for the first time in years. Living in Whistler has helped me to create a balanced lifestyle with an amazing job, great activities and awesome friends.

Tell us an interesting Whistler story.

“Really?  Whistler closes down certain streets at night for bears to safely cross the road? What time? Will I be able to get back to my house?”

Thankfully, I did not bolt out of a party on my first night in Whistler based on a joke to pull a fast one on the new girl. I moved to Whistler on a sunny afternoon in 2006 and I was relieved I loved my rental suite as I had only seen it over the internet. And bonus, the only friend I had in town was having a BBQ that day so I was raring start my new life.

I left the party feeling my gullibility survived and I was confident I could easily fit in as a local. However, as I drove back to my place that confidence took a nose dive as I arrived to my street and I had no idea which house was mine! No one warned me there were no street lights in Whistler and it is seriously dark! I nervously drove around the block numerous times, narrowed it down to a couple of potential houses, parked in one wrong driveway and was so relieved when I eventually found the door where my keys fit! Now, six years later, I still love seeing all the stars (but I always keep a mini-flashlight on my key chain)!   

What makes Whistler Awesome?

Easy question – it is the people! My job involves connecting with local businesses and every day, I am amazed by the creativity and talent in our community. Everyone here has made the choice to live in Whistler so there are amazing stories about how people arrived here and how they are working to create a life for themselves in this town.

What’s Whistler’s best kept secret?

Summer! Yes, we are a winter resort but the summers are fantastic too. I love riding my bike to work, people watching as I eat lunch in the sunny Village Square, hitting a bucket of golf balls after work, and then biking straight to a beach for a swim with friends. And that is just Monday to Friday so imagine the weekends…..

What do you really want to say to the world? 

To Whistler and the world – Whistler inspires! Whether you are here for a weekend or the rest of your life: the mountains, people, and energy are a magical combination!

1. Tell us about yourself.

I guess I have a similar story to a lot of the people who have ended up in this town. I moved out to Whistler from Ontario thinking I was staying for a season… maybe a year… and then one day I woke up and it was four years later! Ah, the classic Whistler tale. The slight twist to my story is I didn’t come out here because I had a passion for skiing or snowboarding.. that came later. I moved out here for a boy. Read more