For those of you scratching your head right now - "guinea pig" a ski term for the first one to hit an epic-looking but might-be-dangerous territory run.
In the mountains, it's a question of potential disaster or killer fresh tracks. On the Squamish Oceanfront peninsula, it's the strategic art of making all the pieces fall into place simultaneously.
No one wants to be in the only place to stop in the middle of nowhere, because no one drives through the middle of nowhere - much less thinks "Maybe I'll stop here."
Right now, if I was looking to open a new coffee shop with rustic book shelves, Harry Potteresque lamps and delicious healthy food, I definitely wouldn't ask the district for that piece of land next to the SODC sign on Loggers Lane.
But if the whole peninsula is crawling with shops, a library, university students, athletes and more, I'd give my right arm to open up a coffee shop in that same exact spot.
Unfortunately, that's exactly how those shop owners, librarians, university students, athletes and everyone else feels.
It's like that scene in high school when everyone wants to dance to YMCA, but no one wants to go first just in case it's not cool. Capilano University is stoked for their ideal location in the heart of the peninsula, but they're notwilling to end up out there alone if the rest falls through.
So who'll be the first to get the ball rolling?
With his extensive Intrawest experience, SODC planner Trevor Dunn should have some insight, and he says the sub area plan is key to developers feeling confident enough to take that leap of faith and actually purchase land.
Some things to look for when deciding whether to invest, according to one developer I know, are site desirability, local political situation and the jurisdiction's financial situation.
The site, which rivals Granville Island and Halifax Harbour as depicted in the draft sub area plan drawings, is an obvious perk.
Local politicians and community input, as we all know, can be a major roadblock when it comes to development - just look at the unsuccessful Red Point development application for example.
And the jurisdiction's financial situation might not be able to comparable to Point Grey, but it's also not the Downtown Eastside.
All weighing of pros and cons aside, any developer worth his salt will tell you that life is about gambling.
Sure you could take a risk and get hurt or you could be rewarded in ways you never imagined.
Fall in love, buy a house, ski the run, take the jump, develop the land not knowing the outcome is what makes it so exciting. To win big, you have to take those leaps of faith.
Now who's first?
