100 YEARS OF DREAMS
The Louvre and Smithsonian are impressive, as international museums go; but history is made locally, and is, arguably, most endearingly remembered and enthusiastically celebrated where it is (or rather was) originally made. For the archetype of learning local history and culture, the Whistler Museum is a little gem, hidden in plain view in the shadow of the Whistler Library on Main Street in the heart of Whistler Village.
For the investment of a mere hour of otherwise potentially unproductive downtime away from the slopes, the Museum promises to tell lovers of local history “the story of how a small, remote valley came to be one of the most famous tourist attractions in the world … Whistler’s journey from wilderness to world-class resort.”
Originally named Summit Lake, then Alta Lake, Whistler’s name was changed yet again to what it is today. The “non-indigenous” history, at just over a century, is not really all that lengthy. Its first fifty years, beginning with the founding of Rainbow Lodge by Alex and Myrtle Philip in 1914, were preoccupied with the development of what few originally conceived of as anything more than a summer resort. Whistler, after all, only opened for skiing in 1966, and then only on a small hill with one gondola, one chairlift, and two T-bars. From that humble beginning, the idea of Whistler as a world-class, year-round resort took shape and astonishingly, quickly became a reality.
Whistler dreamed big, and the spirit of its pioneering visionaries definitely resides within its Museum. That spirit is evocatively expressed in Whistler’s Official Anthem, Top of the World, written and performed by Chad Oliver and Ian Cameron of local band Ruckus Deluxe, which features in a celebratory Whistler video, and is viewable both in the Museum and on its website. Oversize sepia-toned photographic enlargements display the lives of Whistler dreamers, pioneers to the present, across the Museum’s rough-hewn cedar walls. Archival DVDs include Skiing is Believing, an engaging flashback to the “Ski Bum” era. From the Museum’s extensive collection of skis and snowboards, a constantly changing display runs the gamut from wood slat skis to a modern Splitboard from renowned Whistler board maker, Chris Prior. Exhibits include a collection of Whistler ski passes through the ages, and a celebration of “The Crazy Canucks”, famed alpine ski racers: Dave Irwin, Dave Murray, Steve Podborski, Jim Hunter and
“I’m at the top of the world with the great big view; Up high, the sky’s so blue; You look around and you feel brand new and right at home. Staring out at that valley beneath your feet, I swear you can see 100 years of dreams.”
Ken Read, whose “reckless” style brought Canadian derring-do to prominence in the ‘70s and ‘80s. Memorabilia from the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games includes a Team Canada podium jacket; Whistler Downhiller Britt Janyk’s goggles; and, of course, Gold Medal Skeleton racer, Jon Montgomery’s draft beer pitcher (beer not included).
Nothing captures the interest of the many guests who explore the Museum each year better than the “hands-on” access to Whistler artifacts. Outside in Florence Peterson Park is a dual chair from the Mountain’s original lift; and inside, the last of the original, verrrrry small, sheet metal gondola cars. The most popular artifact of all is an official Torch from the 45,000-kilometre, 116-day long, 2010 Olympic Torch relay that circumnavigated Canada. Selfies anyone?
Our best museums put us in touch with history, not just logically, but viscerally. They enable us to create living memories of times and places we may ourselves have never experienced before.