What can we say about Seppo?

Whenever nostalgia causes long-time Whistler locals to reminisce about the old days, the conversation invariably leads to Seppo. It says a lot about our community that one of the most cherished figures of our town's history was not a politician or “founder” in the traditional sense, but a generous and warm-hearted Finnish logger. Few could keep up with Seppo’s work ethic and zest for life, but countless people had a blast trying.
In the summer of 1963, while visiting Vancouver’s Pacific National Exhibition, he got to know Franz Wilhelmsen who was selling shares for the budding Garibaldi Lifts Limited, the company soon to become a ski resort on Whistler Mountain. Seppo was already familiar with the area so he proposed to Franz that he would hire a crew to clear the ski runs. Eyeing up the burly Finn, Franz didn’t need a job reference. 

It was the start of a highly successful, life-long partnership between Whistler's original locals. Seppo was an unstoppable force who helped clear virtually every run on Whistler Mountain. In 1980 Seppo cut his last run. The wild, off-camber descent quickly became a local’s favourite on big snow days, and was named “Seppo’s” in his honour.

For decades Seppo's bar in the Roundhouse has been a home where locals, weekend warriors, and tourists just the same could strip off their gear, loosen their boots and relax with new and old friends alike over some cold bevies and great laughs (and maybe even some overpriced food). The mountain comradery shared in this revered site, whether over celebrating a massive day, or waiting for peak chair to crack, or even just plan out your "one and done" descent down to apres (otherwise known as, "The Seppo's Traverse"), has always been legendary in all of ski culture. To be frank, there would be no Whistler without the history of Seppo and Franz's lives here, and it feels to be a great dishonor to strip the bar of the "Seppo's" traditional name. Tradition is a wonderful thing, because without tradition we wouldn't have culture and Whistler is an epicenter for world renowned ski culture. While it is understandable that the bar needs a face-lift and renovation, what emerges should still carry Seppo's name. Without such tradition we, and our town, can lose sight of our roots and values just a little bit more and more until it's all gone. 

Through corporate sponsorship, it has been decided that the name would change, but this would be a travesty against all the founders who came before us and all who still continue to hold true the traditions and culture of Whistler. 

 Please, help us convince the powers that be (Vail) that Seppos bar is and always will be the everlasting location of Seppo's heart and spirit and that the name should never change, because then we risk losing sight of all the contributions he made to our town, our mountains, and our world renowned ski culture. Once we lose one tradition, how many will fall behind it? Please sign this petition to show your support and consider writing an email to the resort, long or short, in support of keeping Seppo’s traditions loud and proud by always retaining his name. We all owe Seppo a nod of gratitude for the Whistler gifts he left behind for us to enjoy. 

Thank you for your support.

(Renovations start next week, but it's not too late to change the name.... or come have one last drink at Seppos, in case it's gone forever)

(Some excerpts taken from the Whistler Museum, 2012)