Lost Lake Trails & the 2026 Municipal Election

Whistler’s 2026 Municipal Election and Lost Lake Nordic Trails

Lost Lake Nordic Trails and the Passiv Haus are our club’s home. The RMOW has made great strides recently, adapting to variable snow conditions by installing basic snowmaking systems for cross country skiing. Last winter’s 80 days of operation at Lost Lake were a direct result of successful  snow making and management capabilities. 

Cross-country skiing at Lost Lake is one of the most accessible winter activities for residents and a highlight of many visitors’ experiences. The facility provides one more thing for visitors to do in Whistler during the winter when activities are a little more limited than summer. For residents, the proximity to the village and bus system makes it convenient to participate in this affordable winter activity. The facility is mostly user pay, generating revenue for the RMOW.

The importance of this venue inspired Whistler Nordics to provide 2026 municipal election candidates with an opportunity to share their thoughts on Lost Lake skiing and to respond to the following: 

“Our understanding is that the RMOW staff are exploring additional improvements to both firefighting capability and snowmaking and we are eager to understand your position on spending on this type of study. Any additional comments regarding your level support for cross-country skiing at Lost Lake are encouraged as well.”

We indicated that the response would be shared, we followed up once to remind them. We received responses from the following candidates and their responses are below. Read on and remember to vote this Saturday, October 17.

Responses from Mayor Candidates

Mayor: Jack Crompton, Lance Bright

Jack Crompton

Thanks for the opportunity to comment.

I am supportive of investigating ways to sustain cross-country skiing at Lost Lake. If I am re-elected and staff bring forward a recommendation to Council to undertake further study, I will support it.

I think it's important that we understand how our changing climate will impact our winter recreation offerings over time and the actions we can take to respond. Cross-country skiing at Lost Lake is an important community amenity that is enjoyed by residents and visitors alike, and I support exploring practical measures that help sustain it.

That said, I do not think we can avoid conversations about the long-term sustainability of valley-bottom snow activities. Honest conversations now, supported by good information and analysis, will help the community make informed decisions as conditions continue to evolve.

 Lance Bright

Let me say thank you, for making Whistler extra special. 

First, I love the initiative your group puts into this, I recall the Buzdons and the Czimazias cutting the first trails in the 70s, and people used to park their cars at Myrtle Phillip.  We have come a long way.  What you bring is an amazing aspect of the community and our tourist attraction.  

Your club deserves all my support as a Mayor.   My wildfire message is pretty clear and wherever our interest dove tail, let's make it work!!!  ( Brush clearing and water supply) There are just some common interests.

Responses from Council Candidates

Council:  Arthur De Jong, Dawn Titus, Cathy Jewett, Claire Ruddy, Eduardo Vazquez Vela, Jeff Murl, Jen Ford, Jesse Morden, John Blok,  Mandy Rousseau, and Ralph Forsyth.  

Arthur De Jong

The beauty and value  of Lost lake for all seasons is never lost on me as I snowshoe/bike/ride/walk it often.

I was the construction supervisor to build the warming hut way back in 1980s.

Don MacLaurin, who saved the lake area from private development, he was an early mentor.

Wildfire Risk is clearly my # 1 focus on Council. I keep saying it's not if but when Whistler will have a catastrophic fire.

We as a community must speed up our response to this with respect to fire smarting and suppression capabilities including Lost Lake.

 I try to connect with Ian at the Passiv Haus operation as much as possible.   

Dawn Titus 

I sat on the RLAC board at the time the discussion evolved around  snowmaking being brought to the Lost Lake trails *** is there any data on how that worked out last season ? Do I remember correctly that it was used early last season and did provide a base that was used for opening?

Current councillors will tell you “more studies/more money”. I would hope the program could continue this season as the equipment is available / correct? I think for any of us to answer this question we would need to understand the current expenses to date and how staff feel there were cost benefits (snow / conditions allowing snow to be made etc.)

*** there is ‘a lot’ of snow made at Olympic plaza for sledding.  *** Is RMI funding applicable for snowmaking at Lost Lake ? ( IMO it should be … I send many guests there from the 4 Seasons hotel)

Answer for snowmaking - I am in support but truly would like to review data from last season/ this season to determine how we move forward.

**** re: fire thinning at Lost Lake trails - my research on this practice is leading me away from further work in the park. I believe it is a resilient ecological habitat 

If I had to choose between tree thinning and snowmaking - the answer is the latter!

Cathy Jewett 

I am not ready to abandon XC skiing at Lost Lake!  I’ve already bought my dual area pass.  

Claire Ruddy  

I lived by Lost Lake for many years and greatly appreciated the ease of access and quality of the XC skiing in the winter season. Having volunteered as a XC trail host in the past, I saw the value that trail network brings for residents and visitors alike.

With our changing climate and projections for changes in snowfall (and significantly more rain) in the valley bottom and the summer risks of wildfire, especially in areas of high human activity (like Lost Lake) I would be very interested in solutions that can serve multiple community needs.

 A study/evaluation that explores options and returns on investment should be part of any new infrastructure investment. And a completed options analysis (with costings) study would be a good start point to securing funding. 

From my experience securing grant funding, this is the type of infrastructure that would be a good candidate for grant funding from outside the community.

Eduardo Vazquez Vela

Thank you for reaching out and for your volunteer leadership with Whistler Nordics. I appreciate the opportunity to share my perspective with you and your membership .

Wildfire protection is a central pillar of my campaign. Exploring and investing in additional improvements to our firefighting capabilities around Lost Lake is a critical necessity. If we can achieve this while also updating the snow-making system, it is an absolute no-brainer from my point of view. I fully support practical implementations that improve our environment and resilience while promoting local and visitor amenities.

As avid cross-country skiers ourselves, we truly understand the value of this facility firsthand. We need to find ways to adapt to variable snow conditions, ensuring this user-pay facility remains viable, self-sustaining, and a reliable recreational hub.

You can count on my full support for both enhancing our firefighting capabilities and strengthening the infrastructure that keeps Lost Lake skiing operational. We should sit at the same table and find financially viable solutions to our challenges.

Jeff Murl

Aside from some words at the last council meeting I have not heard anything about staff's plans for the future of the park infrastructure.  As far as I see it, we intend to continue to offer that service and seek ways to keep it going in the face of the challenges certain seasons offer.  I did note that in our fire presentation, we have installed a large number of weather sensors in Lost Lake that if they are able to in the winter, will provide a great deal of data to inform any decisions we make on installing infrastructure.  The dual benefits of meeting fire protection and recreation needs could allow for future investments in that area, but I will leave that to the professionals to evaluate.  The next best opportunity will be budget season in November, if I'm on council, it will be right into it in November.  

Hopefully this season will exceed expectations and my kids can finally get me out on the cross country skis for the first time. 

 Jen Ford

I have supported the study of feasibility of snow making and/or fire suppression, of course. I don't think funds should just be spent without understanding the landscape, the scope and the cost of a project like this with warming climate and water limitations. Studies are required to make good decisions.

IF you are asking whether I think Lost Lake trails for both cross country skiing and snow shoeing are a good investment, of course I do. I have always supported investments in tourism AND resident activity and infrastructure.

Jesse Morden

As you may know, my husband is on the FireSmart team and also works roads in the winter where he is usually plowing and moving snow to stretch the cross-country season as long as possible. It’s a topic of discussion at our household the last few winters as he has seen a decline in the amount of snow falling and being made.

I will always support the cross-country community, and I will support staff to look deeper into ways we can maintain the trails. Before my first term, I understand we received a grant which is how we got the snow guns but, from my understanding, I believe there were some other initiatives we were to receive in that grant that we did not get. I'd like to investigate this further. 

I must say, I am worried about the future with what we are seeing from the effects of climate change. It will be interesting to see what ideas we can generate from other communities experiencing the same problems.

Fingers crossed for La Niña!!

John Blok

I learned to skate ski on the Lost lake trails and in the summer, I mountain bike the Zappa trails a lot. We are privileged to have such a beautiful park. If I'm not mistaken, the Fire Chief in his report to council, also said that they put fire sensors throughout the park. Because not all park users are cautious about cigarette disposal, it should only be allowed in designated areas or no areas at all. Snow making machinery in the park and water hydrants to supply water for snow and quick access for fire fighting should be placed around the park. 

Mandy Rousseau

I'm a bike guide for Arbutus Routes, and when I bring visitors through Lost Lake I always talk about the year-round use of the park. I think it's a wonderful asset that is, to your point, in close proximity to the village. I love that it serves residents and visitors in equal measure.

I think it's great RMOW staff are exploring additional improvements re: firefighting and snowmaking. I would support staff on this venture, and hope that we could pursue grant opportunities to cover costs (from studies to infrastructure implementation).

Overall, I'm supportive of cross-country skiing at Lost Lake.

Ralph Forsyth

As I mentioned when we spoke the other night, the RMOW received a $900,000 in grant funding for this initiative. I don’t see why we need to study it, we should just execute the plan we approved back in 2023 (I believe?) it included snow making (which we’ve already begun) and use of that same infrastructure for summertime fire suppression use. The plan also called for a weir on Blackcomb Creek to power the operation with residual energy being sold back to the grid. That’s a win in my books! 

As you know-and my record confirms- I have been and will continue to be a supporter of cross-country skiing at Lost Lake. 

Thanks for the opportunity to share my thoughts with your members. If you or they ever want to discuss further, my cell phone number is below. 694.905.8997

On behalf of Whistler Nordics, thanks to all candidates who took the time to share their perspectives. General voting day for the 2026 Municipal Election is Saturday, October 17.