Whistler timeline

1914

Pacific Great Eastern Railway (PGE) reached Alta Lake from Vancouver

1916

The Chinese culinary gods of Rainbow Lodge in Whistler – Lam Shu and Sam

In the early 1900s, Lam Shu, a young Chinese cook, helped put Rainbow Lodge on the map with his unforgettable dishes – like the famous Divinity Pie. Later, his brother Sam took over, winning hearts (and stomachs) with his legendary cakes and warm hospitality. From shared tea to tins of cookies, Sam made sure everyone was well fed and cared for.

Find out more about the story of Lam Shu and Sam and read letters from Lam Shu .

1926-1929

A shingle mill established around Alta Lake in Whistler was first owned by the Sikh family: Jaswant S. Mahal and Asa S. Johal, Sr.

Later, in 1929, it was sold to Japanese community members.

Asa Johal (Jnr) continued his father’s legacy and became one of the early Sikh entrepreneurs in the timber industry.

To learn more about Asa Johal and his family history, check out the book Asa Johal and Terminal Forest Products: How a Sikh immigrant created BC's largest independent lumber company.

1958

Completion of Vancouver- Squamish Highway, called Seaview Highway at that time

video of driving up to Whistler in 1958

1966

Whistler Mountain opened for skiing

1970

Toshi Hamazaki - ski instructor and heli-ski company owner

In the 1970s, Japanese ski instructor Toshi Hamazaki arrived in Whistler with big dreams and an even bigger heart. From learning English in just a month, to building his own home and starting Whistler’s first gift shop and a heli-ski company, Toshi helped shape the town’s culture—both on and off the slopes.

He introduced Japanese skiers to Whistler, welcomed global visitors with warmth, and inspired the next generation of ski adventurers—including his son Yosuke, who opened North America’s first freeski store right here in Whistler.

Find out more about the story of Toshi and view a video of Toshi and Whistler back in 1980s.

1975

The Resort Municipality of Whistler was incorporated as the first resort municipality in Canada

1980

Blackcomb Mountain opened for skiing

1983

First Whistler Children's Art Festival included karate demonstration

Whistler Children’s Art Festival

1984

Second year of the Whistler Children's Art Festival, where Setsuke Hamazaki led an origami workshop

1985

Mikito "Miki" Homma and his 2 friends he met in Vancouver, opened up the first sushi restaurant in Whistler - Sushi Village

story of Miki

1994

TMC Freeriderz shop opened by Yosuke (16 year-old at that time, “Yo-ski” Henry Hamazaki)

story of Yosuke

1994

Laura Tagalog met with Arlene and Nestor Egido, Filipinos who were already in Whistler that time - only a few Filipinos were living in Squamish and Nanaimo.

On Sept 27 1994, Laura met with other Filipinos in Pemberton. There were 21 local Filipinos including Pemberton, mostly working in McDonalds. Pemberton McDonalds were a multi unit family employed business - you could expect workers on certain shifts to be a mother, father, and children from several Filipino families.

1997

Vivien Tagalog shared that when they moved here full time in Whistler (1997), she was only 15 years old.

1996 was approximately when Whistler Secondary started operations and Vivien was among the 2nd batch of Whistler Secondary graduates of 1998. There were only 4 Filipinos in the school that time; Vivien and Jen and 2 others that were younger.

Vivien and Jen were the only 2 Filipino graduates of 1998 at Whistler Secondary school (from barely 15 other students).

Vivien cant remember the exact number in their batch (1998) back then. There were no smartphones or digital cameras during that time and they have not kept a personal photo of these memories.

However, Vivien mentioned that as of this date, their picture/s of their class/batch are still displayed by the entrance when entering Whistler Secondary School.

1999

Karuizawa, Japan became Whistler Sister City (67th pair of Canadian- Japanese sister cities); student exchange program

2005

Rudy Bueno and his family immigrated to Canada from the Philippines in 2005 searching for a better life and more future opportunities for his family. At the time, there were only up to 10 Filipinos at that time in town.

Rudy has helped many immigrants from different parts of the world to immigrate and settle down as a Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant, and owner of his company called Sea to Sky Immigration Solutions. He's always shown his passion and care for helping other community members and has been involved in many networking and connecting initiatives through the Catholic Church in Whistler.

Fun facts:

Rudy arranged the first Christmas dinner for the Filipino community in 2007. Do you have any pictures or memories from this event?
In 2012 Whistler Blackcomb cooked lechon, a Filipino dish from Cebu, which is a whole roasted pig, for the Multicultural Festival on the Main Street. It was prepared at the Roundhouse and then downloaded through the Gondola down and then Rudy ran with it to the Festival…

2008-9

2008 - 2009 was the start of mass recruitment of Filipinos in many of the establishments in Whistler. The majority of Filipinos who came at this time worked as child caregivers / domestic helpers in private households, housekeepers in the hotels, and in the fast food/restaurant industries.

2010

Winter Olympics

2010

First Filipino store - Cebu de Oro Services Mini Grocery/Pinoy store opened in Cheakamus

2011

Whistler's first Multicultural Festival happened on Main Street - called Miracle on Main Street. After Whistler Multicultural Network took this over in 2013, it has become an annual tradition based at the Library and plaza.

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