In the 1980s the Whistler Question began posing a question to three to six people and publishing their responses under “Whistler’s Answers” (not to be confused with the Whistler Answer). Each week, we’ll be sharing one question and the answers given back in 1986. Please note, all names/answers/occupations/neighbourhoods represent information given to the Question at the time of publishing and do not necessarily reflect the person today.
Some context for this week’s question: This one seems pretty self explanatory, so we think we’ll leave it there.
Question: Why do so many Aussies come to Whistler?
Pat Cullen – Professional Traveller – Bourke, New South Wales
Because we have to educate Canadians about the finder points of beer drinking and culture.
Mark Shepherd – Traveller – Avalon Beach, New South Wales
To get away from all the Canadians in Australia.
Bones – Packer Driver – Brisbane, Queensland
Word of mouth. Once a place gets a good name as a place to party, you hear about it in Australia. We only have five ski areas.
Aussies, Kiwis, and a South African or two invaded Whistler in the 60s and 70s. They were a ton of fun. Most of them worked in the service biz…hotels, bars and food mostly. Some were volunteer patrollers, some worked for Garibaldi Lifts. They’d work the evenings and ski by day. In the late 60s they had a hot bunk ski chalet we called ANZAC House. They brought a lot of energy and laughter to apres ski parties across the valley. Great memories!