Adventure Helmet Cam Rentals has launched in Whistler. The service company rents out the new hands-free VholdR camcorder to outdoor enthusiasts in Whistler and the surrounding areas.

Elena Mensch, president of Canadian Outdoor Adventures and pro-snowboarder owner-operator, is starting this new business renting the helmet cams that were designed and manufactured by the Seattle-based companyTwenty20. With a single oversized switch, the cameras can capture up to two hours of TV-quality audio and video. The camcorders weigh less than nine ounces can be attached to helmets, goggles, handlebars, or a vehicle. Videos can be uploaded in seconds to VholdR.com with the VholdR software or auto download videos to their computer or laptop and share with friends immediately. The camera withstands dust, dirt, mud, and snow-elements and is shock, vibration, water, and impact resistant.

Whistler seems like a natural place to launch as it is home to year-round adventure activities in the snow and water and social events. Rentals can be booked online, by phone, or through concierge services. Cameras are dropped off and picked up at your door, hotel room, concierge desk or Wild Willies Whistler Village rental shop, located in the Pan Pacific. A one-day rental is $60 day and includes everything you need, with discounts for multi-day rentals. In addition to a rental service, Elena will be a sales rep for the VholdR camcorder, which will soon be in retail shops throughout B.C. and Alberta. For more information you can call (604) 906-HCAM (4226), email sales@adventurehelmetcam.com or visit the website at www.adventurehelmetcam.com.

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Whistler Tasting Tours has recently started offering a unique and sophisticated après/dinner option for food and wine lovers. Their mission is to create enjoyable and memorable dining experiences. Owners Joe Facciolo and Skai Dalziel grew up together in Barrie, Ont., and both graduated from the University of Western Ontario four years ago. Since then they had been traveling the world on separate paths.

“The idea for Whistler Tasting Tours really came out of personal experiences arriving in a new place and wasting the first few days just getting the lay of the land. With all the fantastic restaurants to choose from in Whistler, we wanted to give people the chance to sample a few. We also believe strongly in direct marketing and wanted to give our partners the opportunity to showcase their product to potential customers,” Skai says. T

The company offers tours for small groups via short walks and shuttle trips to some of Whistler’s finest culinary gems to sample delicious culinary creations paired with fine B.C. wines. There are two different tours available. The Apres-disiac Tour begins at 3:30 p.m. During this tour, guests visit Mallard Lounge, Bearfoot Bistro, Hy’s Steakhouse, Kypriaki Norte and FireRock Lounge. The Privileged Palate Tour begins at 3:50 and stops at the Mallard Lounge, Elements, Après, Quattro and the Mountain Club Lounge. The evening starts with a pint of beer from Whistler Brewery or the feature cocktail at the first venue, moving on to three delicious glasses of B.C.’s finest wines at the next three venues and finishes off with a taste of ice wine with your dessert at the last restaurant. With each place serving their delicious specialty appetizers, guests are sure to be full at the end of the tour. The tours cost $149 per person and include shuttles, chances to win prizes and a member card that provides great savings around the Village. They also have a childcare program available. For more information on Whistler Tasting Tours, you can contact them at (604) 902-TOUR (8687), (604) 902-8686, email them at info@whistlertastingtours.com or visit their website at www.whistlertastingtours.com.

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The new “Upcycling” trend has entered the Sea to Sky area with a new home-based Venetian Décor design house that offers old world with a new twist. Designer Pamela Beattie and her business, Venetian Décor, specializes in upholstering French reproduction furniture and throw pillows with antique fur coats, offering old-world furnishings and accessories with a new twist. “Vintage furs are back,” says Beattie, for whom working with repurposed fur coats and vintage rhinestone buttons and jewellery is a chance to imagine a world of horse-drawn buggies, mink capes and faraway adventures, and to bring a touch of old-world elegance into the busy modern world. “It’s luxurious, it’s elegant and it’s eco-chic.”

In addition to the upcycling of vintage fur coats and buttons, Venetian Décor uses low-VOC paint, natural wool and down stuffings, and lavender beeswax finishes. Venetian Décor provides custom, handcrafted products to order. Pamela’s pieces include down duvets, toss cushions, custom filled seat cushions, reproduction French furniture, custom ottomans, head boards, cow hide rugs and pillows, throw blankets, drapery hardware, upholstery and drapery fabrics, and antique fur coat pillows. For more information you can call (604) 894-3323, email venetiandecor@gmail.ca or visit the website at www.venetiandecor.ca.

To submit your Business Briefs, email Tessa at tsweeney@whistlerquestion.com