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

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

Join the Highball Collective Exclusive Launch inspired by the classic 60s “Mad Men” era at the Westin’s Firerock Lounge Saturday, April 13. Sip on Highball Cocktails and nibble on hors d’oeuvres while enjoying the 60s-infused sounds of DJ Foxy Moron.

Entry is $10 at the door, proceeds to the Sarah Burke Foundation. Bring some extra cash to support the cause (raffle draw & more). Check out the Facebook event for all the details.

“Mad Men” Dress Encouraged
Fashion inspiration for Men:
Fedoras, skinny ties, white or bright dinner jacket or bold coloured shirts and country club golf pants.

Ladies:
Pencil skirt & twin set, maxi dress, mini, or clam diggers and ballet flats, bold prints/colour and classic string of pearls.

Have you seen the giant 6ft Blow-up birthday cake popping up all over Whistler village yet? Well if you haven’t you soon will…

On April 18th, 2013 Whistler & The Longhorn Saloon will see the first event of this kind!

You heard me, we’ve sharpened our creative pencils to needle sharp points and we’re just in time to bust them, and a plethora of blow up toys, out for this year’s World Ski & Snowboard Festival (WSSF)’s best party. After the après Bulldogs on the patio, the compulsory nacho consumption, and the breathtaking sunset, Longhorns will open the floodgates to all things inflatable! We’re talking about two mega teams drawing swords on a concept that is sure to blow your mind, and the roof, off one of the funnest bars in the village.

Locally owned, TBApparel, is teaming up with Outfunya to give you the best experience you never asked for and it’s going down right in the heart of the festival. Our goal is to ensure you are given the opportunity to squeeze every last beautiful drop of Awesome out of your Whistler experience and I’m sure you’ve heard the always popular phrase “Party in April, Sleep in May” Right? We are proud to present “The Inflatable Party“ theme that is sure to get your creative tires pumped for such an event. Read more

With the return of “The Festival” upon us yet again, winter gets to enjoy one last hurrah in the spotlight before we officially begin looking forward to summer. Here at the museum, we’ve taken this as an opportunity to reflect on the meteoric rise of snowboarding. Way back in the 1980s (before the Whistler-Blackcomb merger) Blackcomb Mountain was the first ski resort in British Columbia to allow snowboarding, and since then our local mountains have provided the venue for countless iconic moments, faces, and features in the history of snowboarding. From the Blackcomb Windlip, to Camp of Champions, the Westbeach Classic, and far too many pro riders, photos and film segments to name, our resort has played an integral role in the development of the sport.  Read more

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).

“So much to write and say/Yo, I don’t know where to start/So I’ll begin with the basics and flow from the heart” – Nas, “Loco-Motive”

For the last 18 years, the World Ski and Snowboard Festival (or, the festival formerly known as TELUS..), has been the ultimate season-ender party for skiers, snowboarders, photographers, filmers, artists and party animals alike. It marks the culmination of the last 6 months of shredding, hiking, shooting, drinking, sledding, creating, editing, and surviving. It pays homage to the tireless number of early mornings, late nights, first chairs and last calls. It brings the pros out to play on the Big Air and Slopestyle courses, provides a dancefloor at the base of the mountain, celebrates all that is awesome about mountain life and specifically about Whistler. At a time when most mountain resorts are shutting down, restaurants and bars are closing, people are being laid off and the skis are being hung up for the Summer, well, Whistler is still kicking it hard.

Michael Franti at WSSF 2012. Village going off!

The World Ski and Snowboard Festival returns April 12-21 and we don’t do things by halves. We also don’t do them quietly, so be prepared for a raucous 10 days of non-stop action; whatever your pleasure. For the first time in a long time, we hope not to hear the words “Can’t you bring the Black Eyed Peas back?”, NO; that was so 6 years ago! THIS year we’ve got NAS, K-OS, ARKELLS, QUESTLOVE, BEATS ANTIQUE, ANUHEA, SWOLLEN MEMBERS and more. Get stoked! Read more

The official music lineup for the free Outdoor Concert Series at the 2013 World Ski and Snowboard Festival (WSSF) has just been announced, with legendary hip-hop artist, Nas, headlining the show on Saturday, April 13.

“We could not be happier with the lineup of musical acts we have secured for this year’s free Outdoor Concert Series,” says Sue Eckersley, Event Director of the World Ski and Snowboard Festival. “We have a wide array of artists from all different genres performing throughout the 10 days of the Festival so there will definitely be something for everybody. And now with Nas kicking things off on the first Saturday, this may just be the best Outdoor Concert Series ever at WSSF.”

Back in February it was announced that the World Ski and Snowboard Festival would be granted a $135,000 investment from the Resort Municipality of Whistler (RMOW), through the Whistler Festivals, Events & Animation (FE&A) Program. The funds were intended specifically to augment the 2013 Outdoor Concert Series.

“Securing a big name like Nas to headline the free Outdoor Concert Series would not have been possible without the investment from the RMOW. We are extremely grateful for all the support we have received from the community this year and we are really looking forward to showing everyone what that support has enabled us to produce this April,” adds Eckersley.

THE 2013 FREE OUTDOOR CONCERT SERIES LINEUP INCLUDES:

Friday, April 12

• DiRTY RADiO, 4pm
• One Bad Son, 2:30pm

Saturday, April 13

• Nas, 4pm

Sunday, April 14

• Keller Williams, 4pm
• Kim Churchill, 2:30pm

Monday, April 15

• Anuhea, 4pm

Tuesday, April 16

• CFOX Vancouver Seeds 2012 Winners – 2:30pm to 5:30pm on the Main Stage
• We Hunt Buffalo
• Static in the Stars
• Fields of Green

Wednesday, April 17

• Yuca, 4pm
• Longstride, 2:30pm

Thursday, April 18

• Beats Antique, 4pm
• Whiskey Chief, 2:30pm

Friday, April 19

• K-OS, 4pm
• Rich Aucoin, 2:30pm

Saturday, April 20

• G. Love & Special Sauce, 4pm
• Swollen Members, performing live during The Shred Show, Presented by Monster Energy BIG AIR

Sunday, April 21

• Arkells, 4pm

The free Outdoor Concert Series at the World Ski and Snowboard Festival in Whistler is one of the largest annual free outdoor concert series in Canada. Concerts will happen daily from 2:30pm to 5:30pm at the Main Stage in Skier’s Plaza at the base of Whistler Mountain throughout the entire duration of WSSF. The complete schedule of musical acts can be viewed at www.wssf.com. For more information about the RMOW Festivals, Events and Animation program, visit www.whistler.ca. Tickets to the evening gala events are now available for purchase at http://www.wssf.com/estore.

To connect with the World Ski and Snowboard Festival online, Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter and Instagram.