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Opinion: Growing up in Neverland, the Sea to Sky

Reporter Dan Falloon says good-bye to the Sea to Sky and readers.
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Sports editor Dan Falloon has moved to Winnipeg.
The Sea to Sky tale told over and over is that skiing, boarding and/or general outdoor recreation won the day over everything else and you have no idea what your liftie or bartender aspired to be in a previous professional life. There’s a set of stories with diverse outcomes that start that way.

As my time in this part of the world — and in journalism — comes to an end and I head back to Winnipeg, it’s admittedly a little weird looking back when the job is the reason you came.

You do have the temptation to Peter Pan it a bit by enjoying all Whistler has to offer: both in the village or on the mountain in some way, shape or form.

Ultimately, I feel that the Sea to Sky was the best place for me at this time in my life. It was incredible to be in a truly fun locale while also progressing up the ladder. I feel I grew my abilities immensely while with Pique and, for the past year, as a pinch hitter down in Squamish with The Chief. I was far enough away from the life I knew that it was a bit more of a sink-or-swim situation socially than I’d ever experienced. Hell, I even got on stage and acted for the first time. No matter who you are, you feel the innate need to tap into your sense of adventure in some way while you’re here.

My partner and I will miss plenty about the Sea to Sky: the good friends made over the years; the locals’ hootenannies at The Point; the world-class dining; and, of course, the natural beauty. The pandemic made it near impossible to fully enjoy those benefits for the past year, and it’s hard to say when we’d be comfortable to make the most of it again in the future.

I’d be remiss to end without acknowledging you: the reader, the supporter of local journalism. Obviously, the last year has further shaken up an evolving industry and your readership is more important than ever.  Whether you’re in the corridor for good or for a shorter spell (or keep up after you’ve left), thank you for letting me into your life each week.

I’m honoured to have been trusted to capture and share what’s special about this place, and I’m already looking forward to a visit when it’s safe.

 

Dan Falloon was the sports editor for Pique Newsmagazine. He has written on a variety of topics for The Chief since the start of the pandemic.

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