EDITOR,
When today's Squamish Chief landed on my Brackendale doorstep I picked it up and noted that the Sea to Sky Gondola is facing disapproval with certain parties. I went for a walk to think about it
What's that, ma'am? Yeah, it's real pretty down here by Shannon Falls, isn't it? You say you're wondering what the views are like up the hill a bit? Sure, ma'am, the views are great the trailhead's right over there. I'll show you! Well, that's too bad because our Squamish mountains are for fit hikers or people who can afford a helicopter ride! We build one of those gondola rigs, we're likely to have one of our favourite hills littered with old people, little kids, unfit folks, people with disabilities and, even worse, common tourists and casual sightseers! You think we want that sort of people on our beautiful little local hills? With all due respect, ma'am, our mountains are for the fit or the wealthy, so if you can't hike up there or afford a helicopter ride, you had better just move on to Grouse Mountain, or Whistler or Banff, or some other gondola spot. There is no middle ground here at Squamish. Yep, sure is pretty down here by the falls. Have a great afternoon, ma'am, and when you get back home tell grandma and grandpa not to bother about Squamish unless they're real good hikers for their age or have a pocketful of cash for the helicopter.
George Hamilton
Brackendale
