British photographer Laurence Crossman-Emms has based himself in the mountain bike ‘Mecca’ of Whistler for the 2015 summer season. He has worked on a feature series for Dirt called ‘Up in the Park’, chronicling the lives of people who have escaped ‘normal’ life and are living their dreams in one of the undisputed centres of the mountain biking world.
Words and Photos: Laurence Crossman-Emms
As many of you know Whistler is a booming town filled with more tourists than actual residents most of the time. Flocks of eager sightseers and adrenaline filled thrill seekers come rushing up the Highway 99 every day to escape their busy 9 to 5s and enter an outdoor haven. But there are actually people here with professional jobs that feel that just riding their bike here isn’t enough, they need the full Whistler hold.
Unknown to most, this year Whistler is/was actually suffering from a terrible worker shortage with many businesses being forced to close simply because they don’t have enough staff to operate. But don’t worry, the lift aren’t going to stop spinning any time soon, Whistler Blackcomb, not ironically one of the biggest employers in town, offer an array of operational jobs… if you know a thing of two!
Canadian local man, Sterling Christenson, has found his place under the WB wing as a Lift Maintenance Millwright. Spending his days hoisted 30ft up a lift tower cranking bolts and shredding some turns in the Park by evening. Sounds like the life hey, but the temptations of ‘Whistler Life’ can be tough, earning more just means spending more here… rounds are on Sterling!
