Florence Petersen’s First Tracks: Whistler's Early History documents the social and physical transformation of the subalpine valley connecting Alta Lake to Green Lake. Petersen—founder of the Whistler Museum & Archives—chronicles the arrival of early twentieth-century homesteaders, prospectors, and logging camp crews, focusing on the 1914 establishment of Rainbow Lodge by Alex and Myrtle Philip following the completion of the Pacific Great Eastern Railway. The narrative traces the evolution of Alta Lake from a remote summer fishing retreat into an internationally recognized four-season alpine playground. Petersen preserves detailed accounts of pioneer cabins, early rope tows, and the grassroots community efforts that platted early residential subdivisions throughout Creekside, Whistler Creek, Nesters, Alpine Meadows, Tamarisk, and Sproatt, laying the groundwork for the creation of the Resort Municipality of Whistler in 1975.

Alpine Meadows (B.C.), Alta Lake (B.C.) History, British Columbia Whistler, Creekside (B.C.), Frontier and pioneer life British Columbia Whistler, History, Local history, Nesters (B.C.), Rainbow Lodge (Whistler, B.C.) History, Ski resorts British Columbia Whistler History, Sproatt (B.C.), Tamarisk (B.C.), Whistler (B.C.) History, Whistler Creek (B.

Published by the Whistler Museum and Archives Society. Includes archival photographs and index.

Published by the Whistler Museum and Archives Society. Includes archival photographs and index.