Category: Ski-Town Stories

From Whistler to Blackcomb to Whistler Blackcomb.

A Sticker For Your Thoughts.A Sticker For Your Thoughts.

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Stickers have become widely used in today’s world, from brand stickers on the Chiquita banana you ate for breakfast, to the “At Least its Paid For!” bumper sticker on that rusted 1990 VW Golf you saw on the way to work. Stickers are here, and are a prevalent part of our cultural landscape.

People often find value in stickers. This can be documented in all the well-placed stickers adorning bikes, skis, and boards (many people’s most prized
possessions) found throughout the village. Many companies and organizations have used stickers as very effective marketing tools to promote their products or events.

Some examples of classic Whister Stickers we have in our collection.The Museum has a small collection of vintage Whistler stickers in our collection ranging from stickers promoting Whistler’s bid for the 1976 winter Olympics, to heartwarming advertising campaigns such as “Whistler Mountain the Big Old softie” of years gone by.


Vintage screen-printed Garibaldi lifts sticker.

One of the more interesting artifacts in the Museum exhibit is a fridge donated by Gord Harder. Covered in stickers from Whistler’s early days in the 1960s until 1998, it stands as a tribute to the spirit of the early ski bum, a chronological monument documenting whistler life from the beginnings of our ski town to the famous destination resort it is today.


Come check out Gord Harder’s Fridge at the Whistler Museum.

Seppo Memorial VideoSeppo Memorial Video

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As part of our involvement with the Seppo Makinen memorial sculpture, built and unveiled this past May, the museum was asked to create some on-line content to compliment the public art piece.

Since I began working at the museum, Seppo has been the name that comes up most frequently when people start reminiscing about the good old days at our events. Clearly, Seppo made a huge impression on our community.

Because I moved to Whistler after he passed away, it only seemed right to have those who actually knew Seppo share their own memories of the man.

During and after the unveiling ceremony, Museum staff asked a number of Whistler locals to explain, simply, “What made Seppo special?” The enthusiastic and far-ranging responses we got show how  Seppo was a lot of things to a lot of people.

The end result is the  short video. Much thanks to all those who got in front of the camera to share their stories and pay tribute to the Whistler icon.

Franz “The Overachiever” WilhelmsenFranz “The Overachiever” Wilhelmsen

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Recently the Collections department has been sorting through a collection of archival material and artifacts belonging to Franz Wilhelmsen.  Most people know him as the father of Whistler, the man responsible for transforming it into best ski resort in North America.  With such an amazing life accomplishment came a plethora of awards and honours inside and outside the Whistler community.  In 1966 he was named Man of the Year by the Greater Vancouver Visitors and Convention Bureau.

Franz Wilhelmsen! Man of the Year! On the right Annette Wilhelmsen, on the left Ms. British Columbia, 1966

In 1981 Franz received the Jim Marshall award which is given to a member of the Canada West Ski Area operators who has contributed the greatest effort in the public enhancement and enjoyment of the sport of skiing in Western Canada.  In 1983, Franz was named a Freeman of Whistler.  A title not often bestowed on inhabitants of the area, joining other members such as Myrtle Philip.  In 1984, Franz received the Canadian Tourism Medallion for his development of Whistler Mountain and the successful bid to bring the World Cup Downhill competition to Whistler.  Franz was nominated in both 1991 and 1998 for the Order of British Columbia but was not chosen as a recipient.  In 1996, Franz was part of the class inducted into the Canadian Ski Hall of Fame.  Then in 1998 he was also inducted to the BC Sports Hall of Fame, through which he received the W.A.C Bennett Award, an award recognizing a person who has made significant contributions to sport in British Columbia.  As if all this weren’t enough, in 1998, Whistler honoured its father by naming his favourite ski run “Franz’ Run”.

Franz takes a drink during the ceremonial naming of his ski run.

Franz’ life accomplishments and contributions to Canada and the province British Columbia are immense and the recognition of his very successful endeavours are all very well deserved.  But the truly lasting legacy of Franz’ life, the one that is and will always be visible to all peoples living and visiting the Whistler area, is the mountain that he saw such great promise in.  It is this lasting legacy that will win him the gratitude of generations to come.

It was a good day to be the Father of Whistler!

 

For more see www.whistlermuseum.org

End of Season RitualsEnd of Season Rituals

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The last days of the season are a time of celebration, a time to look back on the season’s achievements: epic lines, friendships forged, late nights, and metres of pow slayed. Whether it’s squeaking in a few more slushy turns, perfecting a goggle tan, or raising a glass with friends, almost everyone has some kind of ritual about hanging up their planks for the season.

For some, the end of the season simply means a quiet transition, putting a board away and swapping it for a bike. For others, a migration to the southern hemisphere begins, where the season will start all over again.

For many Whistlerites, participation in ‘Gaper Day’ marks the end of a season well shredded. Gaper Day encourages general ski hill tomfoolery, and has been around in some form since 1996. Formerly ‘Ski in Jeans Day’, the last day of the season celebration came to be called Gaper Day in order to allow people to unleash their stylistic creativity. Not just jeans, but retro ski outfits and costumes are encouraged. As Gaper Day founder Jamie Bond put it,  “you can do whatever the hell you want”, it’s basically a way for people to “[get] silly and keep it real all day”.

Since skiing in Whistler first opened in 1966, the warm whether and sunny days of spring have been accepted with open arms and bare skin (in varying degrees). In 1969, Jane Ferris was at the forefront of the trend of stripping down to celebrate spring in style (pictured).

Life’s a mountain and a beach! Jane Ferris stripping down for a day of spring skiing in 1969. Photo by Selwyn Pullan.

So whether your tradition is to dress up, undress, or eke out those last few turns, know that you, in your own way, are contributing to the rich tapestry of Whistler’s spring skiing history.

Raise a glass to another season well spent and the imminent arrival of summer!