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 1984. 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: There doesn’t appear to be any particular reason this question was asked at the end of 1984; however, the difference in prices between Whistler and other places have long been a discussion, including in the Whistler Question, which included the difference in prices between Whistler, Squamish, and Vancouver when reporting on the opening of the Whistler Grocery Store in 1981.
Question: What do you think of the price of food at Whistler?
Wendy von der Porten – Physician – Vancouver/Whistler
Well, it’s only about a 15 cent difference for a dozen eggs. I think it’s quite fair, considering the distance. Although I usually bring up most things from Vancouver, it’s a matter of convenience, not because things cost too much up here. I have noticed that service around here has improved during the last 11 years.
John Matthews – Businessman – Hawaii
It’s probably a little less expensive than Hawaii, but I find the prices on the high end. But it depends on what you compare it with – if you take all things into account I would say it’s reasonable. As for the resort itself, it’s better than I would expect to find anywhere in the US.
Tom Handford – Carpenter – Sooke, BC
If I can possibly avoid buying stuff here in Whistler, I do. Usually I buy a lot of bulk things in Vancouver and bring them up. It’s expensive as hell to live up here – even motor oil costs $3 a litre.
In the 1980s and 90s, two trademarked symbols of the Whistler Resort Association (WRA, now doing business as Tourism Whistler) could frequently be seen around the town: a circle of W’s and a marmot named Willie Whistler.
The circle of W’s was originally developed for the Whistler Village Land Company (WVLC) in 1978 by Robert McIlhargey (an architectural illustrator) and his colleagues Dave Clifford and Lori Brown. The Whistler Village had not yet been built at the time, but the logo was soon in use around the valley, such as on signs at the Whistler Village site. In 1979, Don Willoughby and Geoff Power of Willpower Enterprises were given permission to produce 1,000 t-shirts using the logo as souvenirs of the World Cup race that didn’t end up going ahead on Whistler Mountain. Similarly, the WRA later allowed full-members, corporate supporters, and members-at-large to use the logo. Though they did charge for commercial use, it cost nothing for members to add the circle of W’s to to their business cards and signs.
Signs put up in the area of the Whistler Village site by the Whistler Village Land Company. Whistler Question Collection
Though the WVLC did not survive the recession of the early 1980s, the logo did and was used widely by the WRA. In the January 3, 1985 issue of the Whistler Question, the circle of W’s was referred to by Stew Muir as “the official Whistler insignia” and it had become so popular that the WRA was beginning to “clamp down” on its unofficial use by other parties.
Looking back on his work in 1985, McIlhargey described the concept behind the logo. The design team reportedly decided to work with a circle because it was “a neat and tidy way of doing a symbol.” According to McIlhargey, the result was ideal for a four season resort because “it could be winter or it could be summer. In one sense it’s a snowflake, and in another you see a sunburst.” For the typeface of any words beneath the W’s, they chose Frankfurter because “it’s friendly, soft and looks a bit like a cornice or snow.”
The W’s and Frankfurter fonts were used on many signs throughout Whistler. Whistler Question Collection
The design guidelines developed with the logo suggested that in the “best circumstances,” the logo would be red with a silver background; however, most people are probably more familiar with it in white against a contrasting background, such as the wood of highway and Village signs.
By 1985, the circle of W’s could be found on signs, turtlenecks, letterheads, and the t-shirt and hat of Willie Whistler. Willie Whistler was developed as the WRA’s mascot in 1981. The marmot was named by eight-year-old Tammi Wick in a naming contest (she won a Blackcomb season pass for her idea) and introduced to the public at the first Fall Festival. From then, Willie Whistler could be found at most events in the resort. The mascot was reportedly trademarked in order to “prevent a doll manufacturer from reproducing mini-Willies without permission.”
When listing ideas for dolls of Willie Whistler, suggestions included “Willie golfing, Willie playing tennis, Willie meeting Barbie,” and more. He did, in fact, do most of these things (or close to them) during his time as Whistler’s mascot. Willie Whistler golfed with Arnold Palmer, competed in ski races, presented awards, and met visiting celebrities and dignitaries, including touring the Village with then-Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau and his son Justin in 1982.
Willie Whistler poses in his WRA logo wear with a ski class on Whistler Mountain. Whistler Mountain Ski Corporation Collection
Both the circle of W’s and Willie Whistler were still in use into the 1990s, though Willie Whistler’s appearances were becoming less frequent. Today, the Willie Whistler costume has been lost to the landfill and both the logo and the name of the WRA have changed. You can still find circles of W’s throughout Whistler, however, whether on a few original signs in the Village (take a look up at the buildings on Skiers Approach), now-vintage clothing, or some bridges on trails throughout the valley. You can find more recent productions of the logo on mugs and shirts available at the Whistle Museum or, this past summer, on hats from the Whistler Golf Club to celebrate their 40th anniversary.
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 1984. 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 the December 6, 1984 edition of the Whistler Question, the paper reported on the postal delivery delays of the paper that they had been hearing of from subscribers. Some subscribers reported that it took an average of three weeks to receive their copy of the Question, with one subscriber reporting a 45 day wait. According to Whistler Postmaster Cece Valleau, the papers left the Whistler post office along with the rest of the mail in a timely manner. However, according to Glen Gustavsson of Canada Post, the problem lay in staffing levels at the main post office in Vancouver and the priority given to first vs second class mail. Other small publications in Canada reported similar problems, though these answers would suggest that personal mail was not affected in the same way. However, complaints from subscribers were enough to spur local MP Lorne Greenaway to contact Canada Post Corporation, as reported in the Question in its December 13, 1984 edition.
Question: Are you satisfied with mail service to and from Whistler?
Bill Peterson – Retired – Whistler Cay
I haven’t got any complaints about it. We do get big delays on first class mail going out, but I haven’t noticed it too much. It just occurs occasionally.
Pat Rowntree – Waitress – Tapley’s Farm
You never know. I got a letter Monday that had been mailed from Toronto on Friday. But I’ve also had to wait three weeks for mail. It’s pretty regular – except there’s too many bills, that’s all.
Craig Winegarden – Restaurant Employee – West Side
Obviously it can’t be too bad because I haven’t noticed any problems. If I want to send something really, really fast I send it special delivery. It’s taken six or seven days to Toronto, and I think that’s reasonable.
