The
Whistler Answer was the voice of alternative culture in Whistler. Running from
1977-1982 with a second run in 1992-1993 it was the expression of the squatter
ski bum population of Whistler in its early days as a ski resort. The Answer was
so-called because the only serious local paper in the area at the time was the
Whistler Question. The Answer aimed to be the alternative voice to this paper
billing itself "For those tired of questions".
The original run from 1977-1982 was hand-drawn, hand-lettered and hand
pasted by the light of kerosene lamps in a local squat, the Answer was a labour
of love. The content is witty and creative and is loved by all who have a chance
to see it.
The Whistler Answer: The Last Retort
The Whistler Answer was the voice of alternative culture in Whistler. Running from 1977-1982 with a second run in 1992-1993 it was the expression of the ski bum population of Whistler in its early days as a ski resort. The Whistler Answer: The Last Retort
The Answer was so-called because the only serious local paper in the area at the time was the Whistler Question. The Answer aimed to be the alternative voice to this paper billing itself "For those tired of questions".
The content is witty, creative and cherished by (almost) all who were around to read the originals. Few publications could have managed to fit in so much censor-maddening drugs, nudity and profanity while maintaining such a consistently hilarious and good-natured tone.
The Answer provides a window into the oft-reminisced “Old Whistler,” an idyllic era that pre-dates our valley’s hyper-development and fast-paced urban atmosphere. A playful browse of the Answer catalogue is perfect fodder to debate whether Whistler’s free spirit is truly long-gone, or alive and well.
The Answer provides a window into the oft-reminisced “Old Whistler,” an idyllic era that pre-dates our valley’s hyper-development and fast-paced urban atmosphere. A playful browse of the Answer catalogue is perfect fodder to debate whether Whistler’s free spirit is truly long-gone, or alive and well.
Whistler Answer founder Charlie Doyle, on left, and Michael LeiErier (darkroom, advertising) at an editorial meeting, circa 1979.
View The Whistler Answer online:
The full run of the Whistler Answer is available online, with each issue availble as a HTML5 digital flip book (ipad, tablet friendly), and PDF.
*(Volume 1 Issue 1 through Volume 3 Issue 21 are not text searchable).
Whistler Answer Vol 1 1977 - 1978
Whistler Answer Vol 2 1978 - 1979
Whistler Answer Vol 3 1979 - 1980
Whistler Answer Vol 4 1980 - 1981
Whistler Answer Vol 5 1981- 1982
Whistler Answer Second Run 1992 - 1993
This project was made possible in part through:
The Irving K. Barber Learning Centre: BC History Digitization Program
The BC History Digitization Program promotes increased access to British Columbia’s historical resources by providing matching funds to undertake digitization projects that will result in free online access to our unique provincial historical material. For more information click here.
We appreciate your generosity and making this exhibit possible, thank you!