Doug Bennett and fellow slugs gave the crowd what they paid for and more during two performances at the Longhorn.
1979
The new Whistler Village model on display at the Village display suite adjacent to Municipal Hall.
The Molson World Cup course workers enjoy a little R&R courtesy of Molson’s after a hard day’s work on the course.
The line waiting to get up Whistler Mountain in Creekside.
An aerial view of Flute Basin.
Slim Fougberg was honoured at a school board event in Pemberton. The evening included speeches, dinner and skits.
1980
University school break results in record mid-week crowds.
Developer Peter Gregory and Architect Archambault show plans for the 316 room Mountain Inn (today the Hilton).
Not a Corral! This new fenced area outside L’Après is just the extension of the patio area in readiness for the spring season.
Oops! Warm wet weather caused the snow to slide off this Telemark roof and flatten the wagon parked below.
Carved lions guard the hotel entrance of the newly completed Whistler Creek Lodge.
1981
Local Brownies and Guides gathered at Myrtle Philip School.
The first skiers come off the Whistler Village Chair on February 28. You might be wondering where all the snow got to.
Dr. Rob Burgess, Dr. Christine Rodgers, Howie Goldsmid and Bill Hooson at the hospital meeting.
The Tapley’s crowd enjoy a few brews in the sun on Sunday, March 1. Photo by Greg D’Amico.
1982
On the job, the LTI truck proves its worth at Whistler West fire.
The Molson World Downhill came to Whistler, bringing thousands of spectators to the resort along with it.
Gr… Grrrgreat gorillas, Batman! Some people went just plain ape over the World Cup at Whistler.
Sold Out! Hungry ski fans eager to meet the competitors in the World Downhill race polished off the sauerkraut and sausages in record time Thursday. (L-R) Louise Zinsli, Jenny Busdon, Evelyn Cullen and Trudy Gruetzke of the Whistler Chamber of Commerce display the leftovers.
Thousands upon thousands of spectators jam Whistler Village Square for the World Cup presentations.
A torchlight parade makes its way down Whistler Mountain.
Tony Fernandez, R.6 Herron and Danno Five-O rock the socks off a packed house at Myrtle Philip School Saturday, February 27.
1983
The last girders are in place on the new Culliton Creek bridge. Now it can stand on its own concrete feet. Highways crews now must put on decking, pave approaches and cut the ribbon before the span opens to traffic this spring. Though you can’t tell from this photo, this bridge is famously orange.
Stre-e-e-tch in all directions in this lycra and cotton cross-country ski suit modelled by Shelley Nichol at a fashion show at Sundial Restaurant Thursday. The display was put on for the WRA by Virginiga Meachin of Whistler Cross-Country Ski Centre and featured fashions from Carlsberg’s, Inge’s, The Downhill Shop, Whistler Village Sports, Village Traditions, Brick Shirt House and Whistler Tops.
Brownies from Barbados offer food and facts about their country at Myrtle Philip School Monday, February 28.
“Hold’er newt!” Cress Walker and Paul Clark inch their just-built Dash 34 sailboat out of the warehouse in preparation for launch day Monday, February 28. It was a tight squeeze but it came out just as it went in – barely.
1985
The Baxter Group’s Gondola Village has sprouted up like mushrooms at the gondola base during the past four months. Cranes continue to put the finishing touches to 245 units included in the project.
Export “A” Cup racers milled around the time board Wednesday to find out how they placed in the downhill but almost everyone was surprised when unheralded Steven Lee from Australia emerged as the victor.
Jack Demidoff points to the spot where he and his hoe smashed through the ice on Nita Lake.
Skateboarder Harry Hovatha of Victoria does a 360 aboard his Austrian-made Swingbo, a skateboard on skis that sells for about $400 and was recently introduced to the Canadian market. Hovatha was with a group of skateboarders who visited Whistler last week on a promotional tour. But they couldn’t use Whistler Mountain lifts because of provincial lift regulations.
The crowds begin to arrive – the Olive Chair loading area on Thursday.
Blizzard! The scene looking down the Green Chair during the snowstorm on Tuesday.
The shed at Mons the day after firefighters were on the scene attempting to put out the blaze.
1980
Election day in the Myrtle Philip School gym.
Two of the many Japanese ski writers who have been visiting Whistler lately – From Skier Magazine in Tokyo (l to r) Photographer ‘Dragon’, Writer ‘Ando’, and Toshi Hamazaki of Whistler.
The new “guard rails” installed to protect the Lift Company office windows from skis.
No diplomatic immunity here – Mons prepares to tow away the Question truck from the lift base.
1981
Students at Myrtle Philip School take a look at cameras through the ages.
Nancy Green, Prime Minister Trudeau and Hugh Smythe spend the day taking in Blackcomb.
The Prime Minister was also taken on a tour of the construction sites of Whistler Village.
An unusually bright and empty view of the bar at Tapley’s.
Whistler Mountain’s Franz Wilhelmsen and Peter Alder watch proudly as Whistler’s Black Chair carries passengers for the first time this season on February 21.
1982
Search and Rescue Squadron 422 from Comox dropped into Whistler last week for a mountain rescue training session.
Stretching, an essential when preparing for a race.
A few Crazy Canucks share a laugh at Dave Murray’s retirement part at Myrtle Philip School.
The first test run of the fire department’s latest addition proved it could be instrumental in putting out high level fires such as the one at Whistler Village Inn January 13.
Long before they started making snow at Olympic Plaza snow piles have provided endless amusement.
A parking attendant’s dream… This giant tow truck pulled into town the other day – and quickly pulled out again, much to the relief of nearby parking violators.
1983
Soaking up the sun (l to r) Rosilyn and Marlin Arneson and Bill Bode of Washington State relax before calling it a day Monday, February 21 after the first really warm one on Whistler Mountain.
Sjaan DiLalla tries out one of the ranges in one of the 29 “studio lofts” in the recently opened Crystal Lodge.
First place team members in the Team Supreme competition. The event, held at Blackcomb February 20, raised $2,400 for the BC Disabled Skiers Association.
Seppo Makinen and Sam Alexander discuss Whistler’s proposed new Zoning Bylaw No. 303 with Assistant Municipal Planner Cress Walker.
Cross-country skiers set off on the Whistler Cross-Country Marathon which was held over a 20km route Sunday, February 20.
1985
Art ’85 was hosted in the gym of Myrtle Philip School this past weekend.
During an introductory press conference Sunday at Crystal Lodge, Todd Brooker (far left) introduces members of the Canadian Men’s Alpine Team: (l to r) Felix Belcyzk, Chris Kent, Paul Boivin, Chris McIver and Jim Kirby.
Canadian blues man Long John Baldry and crew crank it out at The Longhorn Sunday.
These photos from the Whistler Question show a much smaller Whistler, where everything from a visit by the Governor General, to a snowblower surviving an encounter with a train, to a visiting Rotary exchange student, to a mysterious explosion in a Longhorn toilet are recorded together in the paper.
1979
Whistler as it should be – Doug Read gets into it on “Upper Insanity” on Friday.
An RCMP under-ice diving training school was held on Alta Lake during the past week. Scott Alpen photo.
A view of the Whistler Vale complex with the old Cheakamus Inn in front and the new units to the left and behind.
1980
Squaw Valley Crescent takes some of the overflow parking from Lake Placid Road.
Bob Matheson works on the new Superior Muffler pipe bending machine.
Sunshine and good skiing – the way it has been on the top of Whistler for the past week.
CKVU’s Ralph (Raccoon) Carney interviews Tom Jarvis, Beau Jarvis and Peaches Grant at Beau’s on Sunday evening.
Nicholas Busdon heads across the finish line in the Elementary Boys race.
1981
Chef/owner of the Black Bear Geoffrey Howes and Patty Harvey at work in the kitchen.
The vehicle Steve Podborski was driving and the Toyota driven by Kathy Rollo after the February 14 accident.
Rotarian Frank Satre and Whistler’s exchange student, Teresa Delgado from Chihuahua, Mexico.
Franz and Annette Wilhelmsen (front) and Debbie and Hugh Smythe (rear) enjoy dinner at the opening of Stoney’s restaurant last week.
1982
With the reddest of heart and the fleetest of foot, a be-winged Cindy Woods turned into cupid for a day (guess which one) to deliver flowers throughout the valley for Valley Vines & Petals.
All bagged up and ready to go – Sue Spurrell, Dave Barnes and Leslie Christmas, all from Newfoundland, try out the x-country skiing at Whistler Village wearing Blackcomb bags for protection.
Kermit joins the happy gang at Stoney’s who celebrated their first birthday Monday, February 15. Ball team members are (l to r) Bruce Fox, manager; Jack Cram and Lance Fletched who co-own the restaurant with Dick Gibbons; and Fetah Benali, chef.
Fire in Alpine! It was nearly one month to the day since fire raged through the Whistler Village Inn, when Whistler’s Volunteer Fire Depart. was called out to a blazing cabin in Alpine Meadows. The fire fighters subdued the blaze at 8340 Needles Drive in about 35 minutes.
Testimony to the durability of the Toro snowblower. One wheel points to the sky but the machine is still in one piece after being struck and dragged 200 metres by a BCR train.
1983
The Japanese version of Johnny Carson was being filmed at Blackcomb Mountain Monday, February 14. Akiko Kobayashi, a TV personality, and Sachiko Sakulay, an actress, are on Willie Whistler’s right and Miss Ski Japan Yukali Yamada and host Tommy Yakota stand on his left.
Shovelling snow outside the Hearthstone Lodge (before the advent of heated steps).
Let’s get Springfit! Adult Education classes in fitness continue with instructors (l to r) Debi Mitchell, Jan Alsop and Shelley Cerasaro. These ladies will take you through a vigorous program of warm-ups, aerobic workouts, calisthenics and stretching.
Canada’s Governor General Ed Schreyer (second from right) hit the slopes of Whistler Mountain Tuesday. Both he and Mrs. Schreyer received some tips from Bob Dufour and Dave Murray while enjoying their five-day vacation.
A sound “like someone dropping a huge sheet of metal” turned out to be an explosion which destroyed cubicle number three in the women’s washroom of the Longhorn Pub Thursday, February 10. A similar explosive device was used to blow up a garbage can in the Longhorn Saturday, February 12 and a 31-year-old New Westminster man, Clifford Michael Balkwill, has been charged with use of a dangerous explosive in connection with the second incident. The explosives, known as “fish salutes”, are manufactured for anglers to scare seals away from their prey.
1985
Firemen and residents were able to rescue some possessions from burning condos at Alpine Village Saturday, but losses were heavy and by the next day insurance investigators were already on the scene.
Whistler Mountain celebrated 20 years with some familiar faces (as well as cake, clowns and more).
Whistler Mountain created a new sport Saturday: Gondola stuffing!
The kids’ team stuffed the most bodies into the gondola with 27, while the counterweights (a minimum of 200 lbs each) could only manage nine.
Mike Davidson of the Alta Lake Sports Club will even spend time in the brig if it means hanging onto his hobby cannons. The one-pounder above was made by Great West Cannon Co. of Granville Island and is authentic in size and workmanship to the original, Davidson says. It was often hoisted into a ship’s rigging and used to fire nails and other shrapnel at the enemy. Davidson uses the cannon to proclaim open the various sporting events but two years ago found himself in RCMP lock-up for four hours when a policeman arrested him for discharging a firearm in the municipality. But it’s all in good fun, and the only thing fired is paper.
You might have noticed that while the Whistler Question Collection covers the years 1978 – 1985 not all years are shown in This Week in Photos. The simple explanation is that the photos for some weeks are missing, damaged or in the possession of the photographer. We’re looking forward to April when we can start sharing more photos of 1978 and 1984!
1979
And they’re off! At the mass start of the Molson Cup race held in Whistler recently.
Whistler hockey players faced the Budget team on Wednesday night and made the front page of the paper!
The new sign at the White Gold Inn (better known today as Whistler’s beloved Boot and Shoestring Lodge) was recently damaged by vandals. After this picture was taken, it was further vandalized.
A red tag and bylaw notice posted on Whistler Vale buildings.
The children’s corner at the new Pemberton Library promises to be well used.
1980
You can’t really tell, but this was the brand new powder blue RCMP vehicle in the valley!
1924-style swimmer Grace at the Pemberton Teachers Frolic – though the costumes look great, what the teachers were up to is anyone’s guess.
Cross country enthusiast Nello Busdon carefully waxes his skis before heading out on the Lost Lake Trail.
1981
THE stop sign in Whistler Village – a newsworthy addition to town.
New Whistler pharmacist Neil Massoud at work in Whistler United Pharmacy.
The Sears catalogue store in Pemberton on the Perkins property that was used up until February 10.
Gay Parker-McCain with baby Dana at the ‘Well Baby Clinic’ with Public Health Nurse Marilyn McIvor.
Manager Rob Nelms stands behind the remodelled bar at Dino’s, now open for business!
1982
The official map of Whistler Village as of 1982. Can you tell what’s still to come?
Competitors are photographed twice in the Pacific Western ProTour held on Blackcomb Mountain.
Vancouver’s Hellenic dancers perform at L’Apres’ Greek Night on February 5.
Ken Thornton of Tapley’s Pub soaks up a few rays while catching up on a little news during Whistler’s recent sunny spell.
Dogcatcher Geoff Playfair who is having a busy time with the Whistler strays.
A snowy view of the Husky and Creekside.
1983
Wowee – it was a hot time in the old town with the swoons and tunes of Vancouver’s R&B All Stars who cranked up the energy level in Delta’s Stumps Lounge to maximum enjoyment last weekend.
A face from yesteryear – Scott Paxton, who worked at The Keg at the Mountain many years ago when it was located in Whistler Cay has now resurfaced at the new Keg as the official “bunmaster”. Paxton and fellow employees geared up for the opening night at The Keg Friday, February 4 for another era of Keg lovers.
Guy Labelle connects one of the power hook ups being installed in the overnight parking lot to make life a little more comfortable for Whistler’s RV visitors. While partial services are now available, full-service pads may be a long time coming.
Heading for the finish must be lot easier when you’ve got wings!
The Brandywine Inn display suite developed a bit of a list as it was being moved off its foundations February 3. Nickel Brothers house movers recovered the situation by jacking up the building and rearranging a wooden ramp which had collapsed under it. The house was enrolee to High Forest.
Mitch Sulkers, Snowcat crew, Blackcomb. Those who answered the Question’s weekly question had their portraits published, often with their occupation and neighbourhood of residence.
1985
Corporate Cup teams ran, hopped, slid and jumped through an obstacle course wearing snowshoes Saturday at Myrtle Philip School.
Ken Domries (right) shows Paul Grilles (middle) and Glen Mitchell how to operate the Whistler Volunteer Fire Department’s ladder truck. The $20,000 LTI pumps out 4,500 litres a minute of water and is usually operated by a five-man crew.
Whistler Mountain day skiers stand in line Saturday for refunds after the power to the north side lift system went out of commission. Inconvenienced skiers were given refunds, food vouchers and hot drinks while the mountain’s staff coaxed the lifts into operation again.
Grand prize winner, Paul Burrows (right), receives his pair of Blizzard Quattro skis from Nigel Woods, president of Coastal Mountain. Unfortunately, the caption for this photo failed to mention what the prize was for.
