Whistler Museum and Archives Society

Marmots and the MountainMarmots and the Mountain

July 9, 2024 Whistler Museum 0 Comments

Before landing on the name “Whistler” the mountain was known by a few other names. Whistler Mountain was first known as Cwítima/Kacwítima by the Lil’wat Nation and Sk̲wik̲w by the Squamish Nation. In the 1860s, the mountain was named London Mountain by British Naval Surveyors because the thick fog coating the area was reminiscent of the foggy skies of London. The name didn’t stick because of the connotations from the dangerous smog London suffered as a result of coal burning. The name Whistler or Whistle was used to refer to the mountain unofficially as early as the 1920s, inspired by the Hoary Marmots that populate the mountain and the whistling sound they make when trying to alert friends that danger is near. The name was officially changed in the 1960s.

Photo: Hike to Russet Lake. Photo of courtesy Cliff Jennings.

British Columbia is home to four species of marmots: the Yellow-Bellied marmot, the Vancouver Island marmot, the Woodchuck, and, of course, the Hoary marmot. Only the Hoary marmot lives in Whistler. While the local marmots appear to love to hang out on the mountain, sunbathing and entertaining tourists, they actually spend six to eight months underground hibernating every year. Marmots dig twenty three foot deep hibernation burrows to spend their winters in. In the months they are not hibernating (March-September), these critters’ diet consists of berries, roots, mosses, lichen, grasses, and other plants. These furry friends generally live in colonies of ten to twenty and a group of marmots is often called a madness. Whistler’s favorite rodent also happens to be the largest breed of ground squirrel, weighing a whopping eight to twenty pounds! Luckily, marmots are protected by the BC Wildlife Act so we can count on keeping the mountain full of these adorable, friendly faces.

Photo: Half Note hike. Photo of courtesy Cliff Jennings

It is not a stretch to consider the hoary marmot the mascot of Whistler given that they are the namesake of the mountain and the town. Back in the 1980s, the Whistler Resort Association (today known as Tourism Whistler) even made it official. A contest was held to name the new marmot mascot and the winner, eight year-old Tammi Wick, chose the name Willie. Willie Whistler became an active community member, attending ski races, giving out awards, and entertaining locals and visitors alike. Willie Whistler the marmot served as a mascot at local events into the 1990s.

The 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games introduced a second marmot mascot to Whistler, this one named MukMuk. An official sidekick to the Olympic and Paralympic mascots Miga, Sumi, and Quatchi, MukMuk also represented the Tsleil-Waututh First nation, one of the four host nations of the 2010 Games. While MukMuk was a great representative for Whistler’s marmot community, he was actually modeled after the Vancouver Island marmot rather than the Hoary marmots found in Whistler.

Photo: Willie Whistler, Whistler Question Collection, July 1982

Though Whistler currently has no official mascot, the hoary marmot still holds a special place in the heart of locals and visitors. If you are lucky, you may spot the community’s muse while hiking around Wedgemount Lake or riding up the gondola. Marmots have played an important part of Whistler’s past and will continue to be a part of our future.

Ella Healey is the Summer Program Coordinator at the Whistler Museum through the Young Canada Works Program.

Whistler's Answers

Whistler’s Answers: July 5, 1985Whistler’s Answers: July 5, 1985

July 4, 2024 Whistler Museum 0 Comments

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 1985. 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: The Alta Lake Inn (formerly known as the Christiana Inn) was sold in May 1985 when when the property was foreclosed upon. At the time, the RMOW did not have a lot of lakefront property on Alta Lake that could be used for parks and public access and so the idea of purchasing the former lodge was presented.

Question: Do you think the municipality should purchase the Alta Lake Inn (which recently sold for $357,000) for a park and more public access to the lakefront?

Tony Alonso – 3200 Block Archibald Way, Alta Vista – Contractor

Oh, I one hundred per cent agree. People always go over (across the street) and try to put their boats in, but not since they put up the fence and closed it. I think they should buy it back, if it’s possible. It should be for public access. I don’t think they should have let it go to begin with.

Carel Hendricks – 3300 Block Lakeside, Alta Vista – Homemaker

Yes I do. The municipality should spend more money on another park. If you could have seen the cars parked right up to our driveway, about 200 yards away from Wayside Park – well, I think they just ran out of parking spaces. The municipality has to reconcile all the different uses, windsurfing, swimming and fishing, and I think they should provide more public access with more parking facilities.

John Charters – 3300 Block Lakeside, Alta Vista – Retired

It might be a good idea but it might cost us a lot in taxes. I would say now that our taxes are quite high enough for what we get. No, it’s only the odd times that cars bother me. I think over at Rainbow would be an idea spot for a beach.

Lake Fun in WhistlerLake Fun in Whistler

July 2, 2024 Whistler Museum 0 Comments

Whistler’s lakes offer a variety of water-based activities and are a great place to cool off during the summer heat. From sailing regattas and floating art galleries to swim races and a quadrathlon, Whistler’s lakes have seen it all!

The Alta Lake Sailing Club’s annual season end “Regretta” included sailing races as well as land-bound activities for participants of all ages. The first ever “Regretta” was hosted in the summer of 1965 and was named after the regret the community feels as the summer comes to an end. Today, the Whistler Sailing Association offers sailing programs, rentals, and races throughout the summer. Alta Lake and Green Lake permit motorized boats; however, on Alta Lake they must be kept under 10 horsepower. Non-motorized boats such as pedal boats, kayaks, canoes, and standup paddle-boards are welcome on all of Whistler’s lakes.

Participants in the Great Snow Earth Water Race rush out of the water. Whistler Question Collection, 1980

On Victoria Day, 1975, the Great Snow Earth Water Race first started. The first leg of Whistler’s version of the relay race included skiing from the top of Whistler Mountain, then running the remaining distance to today’s Creekside where the first baton pass-off took place. The next leg was a bike ride around Alta Lake where the baton was passed to the group’s canoe team. The canoeists then paddled through the River of Golden Dreams to the first weir and passed the baton to a runner who completed the race by running all the way back to Creekside. The 2014 revision of the race included an extra three components: ski or snowboard touring, downhill mountain biking, and cross-country biking. Unfortunately, the last Great Snow Earth Water Race took place during the 1990s.

Windsurfers on Alta Lake in August 1981. George Benjamin Collection

Through the 1970s and early 1980s, windsurfing at Alta Lake became very popular. Whistler was home to multiple windsurfing regattas as well as a weekly race night. Participation eventually declined due to lack of availability of the equipment and legal issues. Windsurfers on Alta Lake were a concern for those participating in the Fun Fitness Swim Race in the 1980s. After a swimmer and windsurfer collided (both were ok!) the swim race was moved to Lost Lake. The Fun Fitness Swim Race was roughly a mile and a half long and was offered as a community fitness event rather than a competitive race. The swim race took place from 1979 until the early 1990s.

Today’s water-bound activities include paddling across Alta Lake and through the River of Golden Dreams. This route takes visitors past old growth trees, through lush scenery, and offers breathtaking mountain views. A round trip takes roughly 3 hours and can be completed in a kayak, canoe, or on a paddle-board. Tours can be booked or self-guided depending on skill and comfort level. Alta Lake is also home to Art on the Lake, which includes local artists, live music, and a floating art gallery. One of Arts Whistler’s more recent annual undertakings, the first Art on the Lake event was organized four years ago as a way to host an arts event during the pandemic. This event takes place in August and is accessible by boat, kayak, canoe or paddle-board.

A group (who appears to have forgotten their lifejackets!) paddle down the River of Golden Dreams. Whistler Resort Association Collection

Keep an eye out more more information on local lake activities to participate in this summer. Remember your sunscreen and towel for every lake day adventure!

Ella Healey is the Summer Program Coordinator at the Whistler Museum through the Young Canada Works Program.

Whistler's Answers

Whistler’s Answers: June 27, 1985Whistler’s Answers: June 27, 1985

June 27, 2024 Whistler Museum 0 Comments

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 1985. 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: In mid-June 1985, the RMOW parks department proposed spot application of herbicides and insecticides to battle weeds and bugs in municipal parks over the summer. There were plans to take precautions while spraying, especially if close to trails, and at least one staff member had provincial herbicide application training. It was, however, clear which herbicides and insecticides would be used and there were concerns over some of the possible brands, such as Killex and Roundup.

Question: What do you think of council’s decision to use herbicide in our local parks?

Rose Sarich – Retired – Vancouver

I don’t believe in any herbicides whatsoever. I just don’t believe chemicals of any type are good for us. They’re in the food, and the environment. We don’t need to add any more. I’m definitely against using them.

Mike Cleven – Musician – Alpine Meadows

Canada is the only country in the developed world to still allow the use of chemicals such as 2,4-D and 2,4,5-T. Tourists, especially Americans, are very aware of chemicals in the environment. It will create bad publicity if it gets beyond the valley. In light of various chemical poisonings in Vancouver, council should review its decision.

Timothy Koe – Semi-retired – Richmond

I don’t think they should use it at all. There are enough pollutants in our atmosphere already. With all the litter that’s in the parks already, there’s no need to add anything like that. Most definitely I’m against it.