Braden Dupuis, Pique NewsMagazine Journalist Profile

Articles

COS investigating 'aggressive cougar activity' at Whistler Mountain Bike Park

1 week ago | timescolonist.com | Braden Dupuis

The Creekside and Garbanzo Zones of the Whistler Mountain Bike Park are closed today, June 21, due to "aggressive cougar activity," after a pair of separate incidents on June 20. A spokesperson for the COS said no one was injured in the incidents, but officials are investigating. "In one incident, a mountain biker was approached by a cougar. The cougar disengaged when other bikers arrived but stayed in the area," the spokesperson said.
Uber arrives in Whistler-with limited drivers

1 week ago | piquenewsmagazine.com | Braden Dupuis

Whistlerites and tourists have another transportation option at their disposal, with the arrival of ride-sharing app Uber in the resort-but with limited drivers on the road, the service will take some time to ramp up. As of the morning of Thursday, June 19, the app was showing exactly one driver on the road available for rides in Whistler, charging just over $14 for a ride from Whistler Village to Function Junction.
RCMP seeking info on 'suspicious males' in Pemberton

1 week ago | piquenewsmagazine.com | Braden Dupuis

Police are seeking info from the public after receiving a report of two suspicious males in Pemberton over the weekend. According to a release, on Saturday, June 14, "the Sea to Sky Pemberton RCMP received a report involving two suspicious males parked briefly along Highway 99 in the area of Portage Road/Vine Road.
Zero Ceiling matching campaign ends June 30

1 week ago | piquenewsmagazine.com | Braden Dupuis

One of Whistler's favourite charities needs your help. Zero Ceiling, the local non-profit dedicated to ending youth homelessness, aims to raise $15,000 before June 30, with one generous supporter offering to match every dollar. "As of today, we've only raised $4,025. We still need $10,975 to unlock the full match. We know your support can get us there!" reads a Zero Ceiling fundraising email. "Four new youth have just recently joined our program.
Whistler campfire ban in effect until Sept. 15

1 week ago | piquenewsmagazine.com | Braden Dupuis

A wildfire just north of Squamish is now being held, but Whistler isn't taking any chances. Effective June 12, all campfires are prohibited in the resort, regardless of the fire danger rating, until Sept. 15, by directive of Fire Chief Thomas Doherty. "The campfire ban applies to all levels of fire danger rating including low and moderate, and the campfire ban in Whistler will remain in effect until Sept.
Hikers get 'armed escort' due to aggressive cougars at Garibaldi

2 weeks ago | vancouverisawesome.com | Braden Dupuis

Rubble Creek trail to Garibaldi Lake remains closed after several hikers encountered aggressive cougars in the area. A viral TikTok from travel bloggers @the_exploringduo recounts how an "armed escort" helped them safely out of the backcountry.
Black bear and cub got into unsecured garbage at Rainbow Park, COS says

2 weeks ago | piquenewsmagazine.com | Braden Dupuis

Whistler's recent heat wave means parks packed with people-but apparently not all of them are picking up after themselves. According to the Resort Municipality of Whistler (RMOW), a black bear with a cub got into some unsecured garbage at Rainbow Park on Sunday, June 8. "Please remember to put all food and scented items in the bear-resistant garbage cans. If a garbage can is full, please pack it out with you," the RMOW said in an alert on June 9.
Here's how to get involved with Whistler's Canada Day parade

2 weeks ago | piquenewsmagazine.com | Braden Dupuis

After an extended hiatus from 2020 through 2023, Whistler's Canada Day parade returned in a reimagined form in 2024, with community groups assembling on short notice for a foot- and pedal-powered parade through Whistler Village on July 1. Whistler's Community Parade, as it has been coined, is back in 2025, and community groups, clubs and businesses are encouraged to join the fun. The parade is walking friendly, with no motorized vehicles permitted.
Heat wave descends on Whistler, Sea to Sky

3 weeks ago | piquenewsmagazine.com | Braden Dupuis

As the first week of June comes to a close, Whistler is set for its first real heat wave of 2025. According to a special weather statement from Environment Canada, the "early season heat event" is expected to last until early next week. "A ridge of high pressure is bringing high temperatures to the region. Daytime highs are expected to be in the high 20's to low 30's with overnight lows in the low to mid teens. High temperatures will persist into early next week," the statement reads.
No room for complacency in bear country

3 weeks ago | piquenewsmagazine.com | Braden Dupuis

At least onceevery summer, I find myself thanking Mother Nature for making Whistler's bears a dark, bush-clashing black rather than, say, a camouflaging shade of green. As it stands, you often see the bears easily from a distance, so you can plot a safe route around or back the way you came. Often, but not always-and it's easy to get complacent when you live in bear country. Every spring we see the trails covered in their poop, notice them grazing the golf courses or going about their own business.