Whistler’s Answers: October 10, 1985Whistler’s Answers: October 10, 1985
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: This one seems pretty self explanatory, so we think we’ll leave it there.
Question: How do you cope with the high cost of living in Whistler?
Alison Ledgerwood – Presently Unemployed – Whistler
It’s pretty expensive, but I only have to pay for food and gas. The cost of food really hits me hard. It’s way too expensive to eat out, and I go down to Vancouver to do a lot of my shopping. Tourists find the prices are just crazy. I worked in the public relations office at the Whistler Resort Association and we got a lot of complaints about that.
Rona Perry – Desk Clerk – Whistler
We just do it. We buy groceries in Pemberton or Squamish when we can get there. We pay major for power. Power’s just incredibly high here. I come from Saskatchewan where it’s much cheaper for a small place.
Stuart Becker – Waiter – Whistler
I try to live as cheaply as I can. I eat at work because I work in a restaurant, I don’t have a car, I rode my motorcycle, and I always manage to pay my bills. They need higher wages here. Transient work means you can’t make that much and a lot of people leave Whistler for that reason. I’ve been here eight months now so it can be done – I’m proof positive of that.