Myrtle Philip was Whistler Valley's most significant female pioneer. Born in the Eastern United States in 1891, Myrtle migrated to the west coast of British Columbia in her early twenties with her husband Alex.

The young couple fell in love with British Columbia's Coast Mountains and decided to carry out their dream of building a holiday retreat. With the guidance of an old trapper, the Philips travelled north of Vancouver up the Pemberton Trail to a place called Alta Lake - the perfect wilderness setting for a fishing lodge. Adventurous hiking, plentiful fish stocks and healthy mountain air soon made the lodge the most popular resort destination west of the Rocky Mountains. Guests were warmly welcomed by Myrtle, Alex and the Lodge staff, and invited to participate in a number of outdoor activities such as horseback riding, swimming, boating, hunting, skiing and skating.

Myrtle was an avid contributor to the spirit of the growing Alta Lake community. She started the Alta Lake Community Club and played an integral role in the development of the Valley's first school. Although Rainbow Lodge was sold in 1948, Myrtle continued to be a prominent figure in the Whistler Valley until her death in 1986. Mrs. Philip's extensive contribution to the development of this unique resort town is still evident today.