Tag: archival film

Florence Petersen Home Video: Driving up to Whistler… in 1958Florence Petersen Home Video: Driving up to Whistler… in 1958

January 9, 2016 Whistler MuseumWhistler Museum 0 Comments

The Sea-to-Sky Highway is widely regarded as one of the most scenic drives in the province, if not the world. Driving along Howe Sound one enjoys a nearly constant vista over the shining blue sea, while the climb to Whistler features such marvellous sights as the Stawamus Chief, the Tantalus Range, Cheakamus Canyon, and more.

Though problem still remain, the major upgrades leading up to the 2010 Olympics made the highway smoother, more relaxing, and made it easier to enjoy the sights en route. It’s common to hear drivers reminisce about the white-knuckle driving on the older, narrower, windier road.

But let’s take things back a little further. This week we feature a home video made by Florence Strachan (better known as Florence Petersen, after she wed Andy Petersen in 1967) during a drive up to Alta Lake, as the Whistler Valley was known at the time, in 1958. Back then the road was completely unpaved, far more winding and treacherous than almost any living person can recall. And so Florence and friends made a full day of it (not entirely by choice), and recorded this wonderful video of their drive.

Keep an eye out for familiar landmarks, and some big changes that have occurred in the decades since. Enjoy:

 

Florence must have had her backpacking gear in the trunk, because later that summer she went on this memorable hike to Burnt Stew Basin:

burnt stew 8
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Petersen Family Home Video – Creekside in 1974Petersen Family Home Video – Creekside in 1974

December 19, 2015 Whistler MuseumWhistler Museum 0 Comments

We can get pretty wordy around here, so w e’re going to switch things up this week. If a picture is worth a thousand words, than what’s the value in video?

We’re fortunate enough to be quite rich when it comes to film, so we’ll share some of that this week.

Earlier this year we were able to digitize some home video filmed by Whistler pioneers Florence and Andy Petersen. They provide a fascinating look at the resorts early days, from the 1950s-70s. Several short videos have been uploaded to our YouTube account, but this week we’ll highlight a single clip from 1974.

It opens with a quick pan across Alta Lake to Mount Currie, Wedge Mountain, and Weart Mountain glowing in the winter sun. It then cuts to a slow drive past Creekside, Whistler’s original ski resort base. One is able to spot the Gondola Barn, the Skier’s Chapel. the original Gulf gas station, and several other modest wooden structures.

Though Creekside certainly has its charms, it is a far cry from the thoroughly planned and meticulously maintained Whistler Village. Though short, the clip allows you to understand the lay of the land much better than words or photos.

 

Since we’re quite well-endowed in the photo department as well, we’ll include a lovely photo of Florence swimming in an alpine tarn (perhaps Harmony Lake) in August 1958.

florence.jpg

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Film and Video From The Archives Vol. 1Film and Video From The Archives Vol. 1

November 24, 2012 Whistler MuseumWhistler Museum 0 Comments

The Whistler Museum is home to many 16mm, 8mm films, and VHS tapes depicting Whistler, and life in Whistler from as early as 1933. Over the next few months we will be bringing you many of these wonderful films and videos from our archives.

16mm film & VHS tapes. Searchin for nugs.

To enhance all the excitement that comes with winter and the opening of the Mountain,  we present to you “Images of Whistler”, a Whistler Mountain promotional film extravaganza.

One of the ways Garibaldi Lifts LTD  promoted Whistler Mountain to potential skiers/customers was to produce short  films/advertisements highlighting Whistler skiing and culture.  “Images of Whistler” produced in [1975] was one such film. Depicting skiing, kids ski camps, ski races, ice hockey, ice sailing, log riding in a swimming pool, and all set to a very groovy Jazz-Funk soundtrack, Whistler has never looked or sounded so cool.

 

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A Window Into The PastA Window Into The Past

July 28, 2011 Whistler MuseumWhistler Museum 0 Comments

Only the most compelling stories and the most talented authors are able to make history jump off the written page and transport readers to the foreign country that is the past. For most, physical remnants such as authentic artifacts, photographs, and historic landmarks offer a more tangible connection to yesteryear. A few weeks ago our archivists re-discovered an even clearer window into the past, eighty-year old video recordings from the early days of Rainbow Lodge. Needless to say, we were pumped.

Now digitized, the video provides us with some of those engaging details that give history geeks hot flashes, and that inform niche interests in ways that other media simply can’t match.

This short clip shows Alex Philip taking guests for a leisurely sail around Alta Lake on a late summer day. Note the same unmistakable skyline of Mounts Currie, Weart, and Wedge that greets present-day Rainbow Park sun worshippers.

In another video equine enthusiasts actually get to see Jean Tapley’s horseback style as she races one of the “Bob’s” around the Rainbow Lodge yard.

A third clip conveys the raw industrial power of an old steam train better than any photo ever could. Sometimes Alta Lake’s snows were heavy enough to bog down the plow trains, so they would often charge full steam ahead through the snow to keep up their momentum. I’m still amazed by the man riding on top (note how the burly train-rider chose a sideways, snowboard-style stance as the most stable, or, maybe, the most fun).

All of these clips have been uploaded to our Youtube Channel. Take a visit and browse our other videos to gain an even greater window into the past.

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