While we have information for the photos we share here, we have many more photos that we have questions about. That’s why tonight we’ll be hosting Naming Night at the Museum – we provide 100 photos (tonight’s edition focuses on the 1990s and ’80s) and ask community members to help add names and stories to the images.
1978
Bridge girders in place over 19 Mile Creek. The main highway has been closed since August 21 for this and residents of Alpine Meadows are concerned that the detour should not last more than a month.The driver of this truck ended up straddling a 24″ log after having driven past four warning signs, two flashing lights and a barricade on Friday evening.Just a sampling of what the local forests have to offer those who know what to look for.
1979
The view from the top! Looking down on the Town Centre from the air, September 14, 1979.The Town Centre two-level parking structure under construction.The Roundhouse expansion under construction by Quadra.The view from the Roundhouse showing the new washroom building.Looking down the “Toilet Bowl” while the drill rig heads down to blast some more rock.The Blackcomb runs as seen from the air.Constable Tom Hansen stands beside the new RCMP machine.
1980
Two big coolers are fully stocked with all types of fine meats and cheeses you’d expect to find in a delicatessen. Hilda’s is now open in the Town Centre.Just one of the many houses that were raised for basement work this summer.A tree over wires at the south end of Mons overpass was one reason for Whistler losing power.Increased line tension snapped this pole in half just down the line.Hugh Naylor takes a closer look at one of the displays at the Pemberton fair.
1982
These enterprising young vendors had a refreshing pause for participants in the Terry Fox Run on Sunday.All shapes and sizes of cars, from go-carts to the formula cars took part in Whistler’s first hillclimb competition held September 18 – 19 on Blackcomb Way.A tribute to the joys of earlier days and ways, Renaissance Night at Delta Mountain Inn Tuesday proved to be a hit with visiting travel agents.Dave Roberts and Curtis Beckon join the merry throng at a medieval dinner thrown for P. Lawson Travel and Bon Voyage Tours at Delta Mountain Inn.Taisto Heinonen and co-driver Lynn Nixon buy some airtime on the Callaghan Lake leg of the Pacific Forest Rally. They went on to win the event in Heinonen’s Toyota Celica.This kayaker is swept away in competition excitement during the Cheakamus Indian Summer Race.
1983
Amateur race driver Dan Pantages sits at the helm of his Lotus Super 7, a four-cylinder exposed wheel racer capable of about 160 km/h. Pantages joined about 35 other car enthusiasts over the weekend for a hillclimb race of the steep, winding road to Blackcomb Daylodge. Slightly modified cares races as well as exotic speedsters, but out of all the cars the fastest time was turned in by a dune buggy. Drivers competed in a slalom course in Blackcomb parking lot as well. The hillclimb and rally were sponsored by the Burnaby-Coquitlam Motorsport Association. Competitors came from as far away as Prince George.An improved road leading into the Club Cabin area from Highway 99 needs a stop sign, having been without one since roadwork was completed in the early summer. The intersection is located about 1 km north of the Gondola area on a streak of highway with poor visibility in either direction. Ministry of Highways District Manager for the area, Ron Winbow, said Tuesday, “We’ll take care of it.”Chris Carson and friends performed Scandinavian folk dancing during Whistler’s Class of ’83 arts and crafts show Friday.Workmen from Alpine Paving completed paving on Village Stroll Monday. Coastal Mountain Excavations also placed three drainage basins ten days ago, ensuring that last year’s puddle problems aren’t repeated next spring. Curbs have also been placed along Whistler Way and Mountain Lane. Paving of those roads should occur next week.When Peter Brown throws a party, money is not the biggest concern. Brown, head of Canarim Investments, treated employees to a weekend of baseball and assorted fun activities. The company limousine, complete with telephone, spent Saturday in the shade of Whistler Resort Association’s Arabesque tent, along with a weekend supply of appropriate refreshments.Sydney Humphries, Philippe Etter, Bryan King and Ian Hampton return for the second encore at Sunday’s performance of the Purcell String Quartet at Brackendale Art Gallery.Whistler’s newest and only board game features a mock Highway 99 plus ski runs and apres-ski challenges.
1984
Bartending course student Sandy Vallender practices the fine art of making a layered liqueur drink. Ross Smith, instructor of the three week course offered through Capilano College, teaches the 12 students everything they need to know about tending a bar professionally – including the recipe for a perfect Martini.About 45 modified competition cars gathered here again this year for the Burnaby/Coquitlam Motorsport Association hillclimb and rally over the weekend. Entrants ranged from formula cars to souped-up Datsuns.Whistler Fire Department members Craig Barker (left) and Dave Steers were among the 22 firemen who rushed to the burning house at 9516 Emerald Drive early Sunday afternoon. Although the blaze appeared to be extinguished, it re-ignited early Monday morning.Kin Lalat, a quintet of exiled Guatemalan musicians, entertained a sympathetic audience Sunday at the Pemberton Legion. The group uses traditional instruments including marimbas, maracas, drums and guitar, and gives a strong voice to freedom-fighting Guatemalans.Mark Angus, Pascal Tiphine and Umberto Menghi were jointly asked Whistler’s Answers this week. Although they all agreed that yes, we need more cultural events here, they disagreed on the type of house wine village restaurants should use.The Raines: Willy, Charley, Nancy and Al, returned to Whistler just before school started after two years in Crans, Montana, Switzerland. Al and Nancy were ski instructors in the 1,500-person resort while the 14-year-old twins went to school in the French speaking community.
As it’s the beginning of a new year, we thought we’d share some photos from the beginnings of some other years in Whistler’s past. From the mundane to the more historic, we’ve collected a few shots of six new years in Whistler. All photos come from the Whistler Question and were taken or published in the first week of January.
1979
Cold temperatures created perfect temperatures for outdoor skating. Here we have a hockey game on quite an impressive looking rink.Creekside was a pretty busy place with cars taking up most of the available space during the days.Rocky the Raccoon pays his nightly visit through the hole in the rock at the Whistler Vale bar.One for the road! Highways’ gravel truck being rescued out of the ditch by Wayside Park on Sunday, January 7.
1980
Bill and Lillian Vander Zalm engaging in a friendly snowball fight during their visit to Whistler.A busy moment at the intersection in Creekside with the ski traffic filling the highway.The snow was looking pretty good for the new year!Whistler children enjoy a performance by Officer O’Sneely and giants in the Myrtle Philip School gym.
1981
Highway 99 shows the effects of rampant flooding. Turbulent waters carved a new creek bed for a hundred yards.One of two destroyed power lines when flood waters washed out footings south of the Tisdale Hydro Station.BCR Rutherford Creek crossing hangs by its rails after the December 26 flood washed away all supports and girders.Pauline Wiebe hard at work checking the next edition of the Whistler Question.
1982
Willie Whistler poses with some young racers at the base of the village lifts.They’re off! One of the groups starts in the ALSC X-Country race January 2.The shelves at the grocery store were looking pretty empty after the holidays.Two real longhorns – assistant manager Gavin Yee poses with manager Peter Grant.Ski ballet made an appearance on the slopes with some impressive acrobatic feats.
1983
Sign bylaw is in, neon goes out. A municipal bylaw saw the end of neon signs in the Village.A pensive Dave Murray checks out the application of new skiing techniques put to task by young members of the Whistler Mountain Ski Club during the recent training camps.Ready! Get Set! Go! The newest members of Alta Lake Sports Club are off and racing in a 400 metre cross-country event Sunday, January 2.A Molson downhill race was held on Whistler Mountain, making the most of the snow.Heavy apres ski traffic is masterfully channelled by parking attendant Nick Di Lalla on Sunday, January 2, in Whistler Village.
1985
New Year’s Eve saw a packed Village as crowds celebrated the countdown to 1985.The celebrations for New Year’s Eve were overseen by Santa Claus, hanging around a bit later than expected.The offices of the Whistler Question, where Kevin Griffin works tirelessly on despite interruptions.The Whistler Singers perform under the direction of Molly Boyd.And her son, Rob Boyd, walks down some stairs in the Whistler Village.
