I've been getting into backcountry skiing, only been a few times so far though.
I have a transceiver, probe, shovel, air-lung and i took a 3 day AST1 avalanche course 2 years ago.
I didn't go this weekend not because of these warnings, but because there isn't much new snow up near Whistler. These news stories are more about the rockies area atm.
PS, here is a video i recorded of my last backcountry outing a few weeks ago
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S5NE1qsgdPg