Compiling Pique’s annual Year in Review cover feature is always an easy exercise in reflection.
Flipping through 12 months of Piques provides a window into the year that was, reminding us of news stories and local accomplishments big and small, and giving us a chance to consider the broader trends buried just underneath the surface.
Of course, not every notable moment makes it into the Year in Review, but in broad strokes it serves as a worthy retrospective time capsule for the resort each January.
To be frank, 2024 was not the most optimistic year, in many regards. Whistlerites of all stripes are struggling as we head into 2025, evident in the seemingly ever-increasing numbers of people accessing the Whistler Community Services Society’s various programs and the business owners just struggling to keep turning a profit.
At the same time, there is a lot to be hopeful and excited about as the new year approaches.
Here are just a few of the events, questions and developments to watch as 2025 gets underway in Whistler.
INVICTUS GAMES
This February marks 15 years since the most significant moment in Whistler’s short history—the 2010 Olympic Winter Games.
And on Feb. 8, the resort welcomes arguably its biggest event since, when the Invictus Games Vancouver Whistler officially gets underway.
From Feb. 8 to 16, the resort will come alive as more than 500 competitors from 23 nations test their resolve on Whistler’s slopes.
According to organizers, planning for the games is on track with a balanced $60.4-million budget including a $5-million legacy fund, and a schedule of nine days of life-changing competition. Tickets are reportedly selling fast, with some events already sold out.
“With less than two months to go to the Games, we’re next and ready to share the unconquered spirit of Invictus,” said Scott Moore, CEO of the Invictus Games Vancouver Whistler 2025, at a press event Dec. 12. “Our goal has been to organize a spectacular Games, which are financially responsible with Invictus’ infectious message of inspiration and resilience, and to leave a positive financial and adaptive sport legacy when we’re done. We’re proud to share our progress towards our goal and to invite everyone to be part of this extraordinary showcase of the power of sport in the journey of recovery.”
RMOW TURNS 50
The coming year also marks a major milestone in the Resort Municipality of Whistler’s (RMOW) history: five decades since its incorporation on Sept. 6, 1975.
It’s yet to be determined what the celebrations will actually entail, but mayor and council are aiming to make a big deal of it.
“You only have one 50th birthday,” said Mayor Jack Crompton at the Oct. 8 committee of the whole meeting. “It feels to me we should find ways to really invest into this and bring value to it, and if that is sponsorships or more investments out of MRDT or taxation, I’m eager to see us do a really good job of this.”
Council is also eager to make the celebrations more than a one-day or one-weekend affair, opting instead for a slate of different events running from the early September holiday through to Whistler Blackcomb’s opening day in November.
While programming specifics are still being finalized, at the core of the festivities, the RMOW hopes to celebrate Whistler’s history while maintaining a focus on the future.
“One of the big ones is this idea of looking forward, but bringing the youth with us,” said GM of community engagement and cultural services Karen Elliott. “There were so many important community builders that built Whistler to this point, and we need to encourage that transfer of knowledge and energy and lift those voices of the new leaders coming up behind them.”
More specifics about the 50th-anniversary celebrations will no doubt be shared early in the new year.
QUESTIONS ABOUND
While Whistler will clearly have reason to celebrate in 2025, there remain more than a few unknowns as we look to the year ahead.
Will there be progress on the suddenly-dormant Northlands rezoning, which hasn’t seen a proper update to council since February 2023?
What action, if any, will the province take in conjunction with the Cheakamus Community Forest to address the growing number of red trees in the resort (the result of a spruce budworm infection)? And on that note, what kind of fire season can we expect in 2025?
Will visitation bounce back after a couple of challenging years? Will local seniors get a gathering space they can call their own? And what will become of the historic Gebhart/Hillman cabin?
These queries are only scratching the surface—there’s also a federal election to look forward to, along with all the annual events Whistlerites have come to know and love.
All we can say is stay tuned to the next 12 months of Pique—we’ll be there every step of the way.
