Squamish writer set to thrill her readers once again As a location, Squamish is hard to beat in terms of its thrill quotient. Rock climbing, hiking, mountain biking, even a gondola that whisks riders to what feels like the top of the world. All the same, local writer Amber Cowie manages to find a way to add her own brand of magic to this incredible setting, and since living here has written five edge-of-your-seat thrillers. Recently, she agreed to sit down with The Watershed

Transport Canada wants to hear from you Speeding motorcycles and increased traffic are ongoing topics for Sea to Sky drivers, but nothing provokes a heated discussion faster than the new-technology headlights.   Now's your chance to have your say to those who make the rules.   Transport Canada is currently conducting a survey  on the subject of vehicle headlights and glare at night. The survey, which takes about 15 minutes to complete, is intended to compile drivers' experien

Add a little fire to your celebrations All this rain guarantees March 17 will be a green one this year, at least. As the day falls on a Tuesday this year, most of the green beer was consumed last weekend, but for those still looking to celebrate the saint who allegedly drove the snakes out of Ireland, Greta Bar (50 West Cordova) in Vancouver is hosting a St. Patrick's Day Party. On the North Shore, Seymour's Pub at 720 Old Lillooet Road in North Vancouver is celebrating the

Two new initiatives support neurodivergent visitors Photo courtesy Tourism Squamish. Tourism Squamish has launched two new programming initiatives designed to support both neurodivergent kids and visitors with hidden disabilities. Beginning this month, the community has adopted the ' Hidden Disabilities Sunflower ' which is a recognized symbol of support for those people with non-visible disabilities including, autism, sensory sensitivities, ADHD, or other disabilities that a

From emergency management to transport: Local MP weighs in MP Patrick Weiler presenting Bill C-224, the Clean Coasts Act, in Parliament in February. West Vancouver—Sunshine Coast—Sea To Sky MP Patrick Weiler announced in a letter to Council last December that the federal government had opened a public engagement process on a new national initiative to improve federal leadership in emergency management. That feedback period closed at the end of last month, and Weiler recently

Private operator investigating short-haul potential: Consultant A consultant working on behalf of the Northern Development Initiative Trust is stressing the importance of a Prince George-to-North Vancouver Rail Corridor. In a brief presentation to Council on February 17, Peter Scholz said a public or private sector partner needs to take over the rail line from Squamish north to 100 Mile House. He noted that in virtually every case where rail lines across Canada have been aba

RCMP conclude investigation The scoured banks of Battani Creek after the December 14, 2024 debris torrent. Photo by kc dyer. Squamish RCMP have announced that no criminal charges will be laid related to the deadly Battani Creek landslide in 2024. The December 14 landslide took the lives of long-time Lions Bay residents David and Barbara Enns. The slide blocked both lanes of the Sea to Sky Highway. In a release Friday evening, RCMP Media Liaison Corporal Ashley MacKay stated t

Perfect way to spend Valentine's Day For the sixth year in a row, the Squamish Hot Chocolate Festival returns to make all your chocolatey dreams come true. With 34 different locations participating, there is a tsunami of choices on tap, with every possible variety of the season's favourite drink. This is the largest variety the festival has offered in its history; this year includes vegan, dairy-free, and gluten-free options. The event is organized by Tourism Squamish to show

Excessive speed, tire checks under scrutiny Photo courtesy BC Highway Patrol. December and January have seen a big increase in visible traffic enforcement on the Sea to Sky Highway. On Christmas Day, no fewer than 14 cars were towed and impounded for excessive speeding on the Sea to Sky. "Every speeder who had their vehicle impounded on Christmas Day was at least 40 km/h over the limit, and two were caught doing 145 and 147 km/h in an 80 zone," said Corporal Michael McLaughli

A look back over a year of coverage Photo by Marcus Reuter. The devastating debris torrent that swept through Lions Bay on December 14, 2024 took the lives of long-time residents Barbara and David Enns, and continues to reverberate more than a year later. The Watershed has covered this story from the very beginning, and has kept readers informed of developments throughout the year. With at least two lawsuits pending and an RCMP investigation underway, there is certain to be

Looking ahead to an action-packed year This is going to be a big year for British Columbia. Top travel guide Lonely Planet named the province to their list of the the 25 Best Destinations to Visit in 2026, and the world will descend upon us when seven of the 104 scheduled FIFA World Cup matches will take place here in June. That same month, the Squamish Off-Road Triathlon  (swim, mountain bike, trail run) is set for Saturday June 6 at Alice Lake. The Squamish 50 series of t

Celebrating 2025 December blooms. Photos by Norma Rodgers. For many readers, it feels like the news is never good these days — stories of injustice and conflict always seem to float their way up into the headlines. Still, here at The Watershed , we also love to shine a light on all that is good in our little corner of the world. We regularly welcome newcomers, celebrate successes and wave a fond farewell to those who move on. 2025 has brought good news stories in the arts, bu