What We Love Now
The Forecast is Calling for Coffee
Story by Dee Raffo / Images By Joern Rohde
For Sea to Sky locals, checking the forecast to see what Mother Nature is up to is a daily habit, as is hunting down a good cup of coffee. Knowing this, owner Jim Salusbury opened Forecast Coffee in February 2020 in Whistler’s Function Junction neighbourhood with the vision of creating a fun, inclusive and welcoming space.
“I love spaces that bring people together, create connections and inspire people. Coffee culture ties in seamlessly with this, and it’s been a really fun journey to bring it together to create Forecast,” Salusbury says. Part of this journey included launching the shop’s own line of roasted beans, certified organic, fair trade and ethically sourced.
“Our flavour profiles developed over a few years from our experience in the cafes, tweaking them regularly to create well-balanced flavours that are inclusive to many tastes through our light to dark range. We also work to bring aligning flavours to the seasonal profiles, as well as what beans are available in that season from the farmers.”
The coffee blend names, like Expedition and Powder Day, are a fun play on Salusbury’s passion for the outdoors and adventure. You can get fresh beans (roasted weekly) delivered right to your door with their pay-as-you-go subscription service, or you can grab a bag from their stores in Whistler (Forecast, Lift Coffee Co. and Gone Eatery) and Vancouver (Forecast, 2980 Main Street). Salusbury also loves design, and you can tell; the space is modern and funky, with that slight cabin-like feel synonymous with Whistler (you can’t go wrong with a log-based side table). However, let us get to the yummy stuff. Perceptive locals might spot some similarities to the menus at Lift Coffee Co. and Gone Eatery, both located in Whistler Village, but Forecast’s menu has some unique and delicious additions.
“Our new, crispy fried chicken sandwich and wraps are go-to’s, along with our house-made pulled Cajun chicken sandwich. My personal favourites are the new Baja quinoa bowl and our flight of street tacos,” said Salusbury.
On the unique drinks front, look out for the superfood-packed Bloom Latte, Nitro Flash Brew, and for a sweet treat, their Affogato (espresso and gelato). For this winter season, Forecast is adding mulled wine to its alcoholic drinks menu, featuring craft cocktails and local beers. It is also nice to know that one per cent of Forecast’s overall annual sales go to social, community and environmental initiatives in the region, which speaks to Salusbury’s dedication to the beautiful place he calls home.
“As a business, I do feel a sense of responsibility to do what we can with our resources. I consider this a kind of self-imposed business tax, and being able to see the positive impact immediately in our community is amazing!”
forecastcoffee.ca | 604-932-3484