The Petersen film collection is comprised of 8mm and super 8mm film shot by Andy and Florence Petersen within the Whistler Area from 1955-1975.
Longtime Whistler resident “Flossie” Petersen witnessed many changes to the Whistler community throughout its history – evolving from a cottage community to an international resort. Florence, a teacher from Burnaby, bought a cottage on Alta Lake in 1955 with four other teachers, where they spent many fun-filled holidays and weekends swimming, hiking, and socializing. You could say they were the first wave of “weekend warriors” to discover Whistler.
Florence met her husband Andy, a carpenter, at a Saturday night party at Rainbow Lodge and they married in 1967. Florence continued to teach in Burnaby, but spent her weekends with Andy at Alta Lake. In 1983 Florence retired from teaching and moved to Whistler permanently.
Florence and Andy had an incredible impact on the community. Florence served many years as a marriage commissioner and Andy was involved with many construction projects, including serving as the building superintendent at the Rendezvous Lodge on Blackcomb during its construction.
The films contained in this collection give a very intimate look at what life was like in Whistler prior to the development of Whistler Mountain in 1965 and the transitional years that followed.
__ 1950s
Witsend, c. 1955
In the summer of 1955, more than a decade before ski lifts began operating on Whistler Mountain, a youthful Florence Strachan (Petersen) and four school-teacher friends purchased a modest cabin called “Witsend” on the west side of Alta Lake.
Learn more about Witsendhere.
Driving up to Whistler, 1958
The Petersens driving up to Whistler in 1958 via gravel mountain service roads.
In 1956, a road that connected Vancouver to Squamish was implemented, but the journey to Whistler remained unreliable until 1965. Learn morehere.
Hiking Burnt Stew, 1958
In the summer of 1958 Florence Peterson, Kelly Fairhurst and Don Gow were on a back-packing trip around Whistler Mountain. After setting up camp one evening they started cooking dinner in an old billy can over a fire, built into the rocks of a dry creek bed. Nobody remembered to stir the pot, resulting in the smell after which the area (Burnt Stew Basin), and ski run are named after.
Alta Lake Train Station, c. 1958
Passengers at the train station along Alta Lake waiting for the Pacific Great Eastern train to arrive.
The train was a reliable way to get to Whistler, then known as Alta Lake. You can read more about the history of the railwayhere.
__ 1960s
Skating on Alta Lake, c. 1960
Ice skaters on Alta Lake around 1960. Prior to Whistler Mountain opening in 1996, Alta Lake was a primarily a summer destination, but residents and visitors still enjoyed winter activities like ice skating, ice hockey, and cross country skiing.
Skiing Cypress Lodge, 1960
Cypress lodge ran the first ski lift in Whistler in 1960 with the use of a V8 engine and a tow-rope.
Hiking Rainbow Falls, c. 1965
Hiking to Rainbow Falls around 1965, a popular activity to do while visiting Alta Lake.
Winter Swimming at Alta Lake, c. 1965
Swimming is more enjoyable when in the summer months, but this person is taking in a refreshing polar dip!
Sailing Alta Lake, c. 1965
Sailing Alta Lake around 1965. Sailing has been a popular past time since the 1920s. Shown in this clip may be the first regatta, dubbed as “The Regretta”. Learn more about this eventhere.
Skiing Mount Baker, c. 1967
Whistler Museum founder Florence Petersen on a skiing roadtrip to Mt. Baker Ski Area, sometime around 1967.
__ 1970s
Boating on Alta Lake, c. 1970
Boating on Alta Lake around 1970, which includes footage of P.G.E. moving a building.
Bears at Garbage Dump, c. 1972
Bears exploring the garbage dump around 1972. Two years later, this site was recommended to become the proposed Whistler Village.
Driving By Whistler Creekside, 1974
Heading south on Highway 99, passing by the Whistler Mountain base at Creekside.
Whistler Easter Parade, 1974
Easter Parade taking place in Whistler in 1974. The parade was open to anyone to participate, in any way they wanted to present – as a float, a marching group, or wearing a fun or crazy costume.
Regatta on Alta Lake, 1974
People taking part in various summer activities in 1974, including the Regatta, tug-o-war, and a pie eating contest.
This project was made possible in part through:
The Royal BC Museum: Terry Reksten Memorial Fund
The Fund annually offers an award of $1,000 to a community archives in British Columbia to assist in the work of acquiring, preserving, indexing or disseminating information on the archival documentary heritage of British Columbia in the broadest sense of the word. The award is administered by the Friends of the British Columbia Archives. For more information clickhere.
We appreciate your generosity and making this exhibit possible, thank you!