Adopted 12 December 1939 on 92/SE, as labelled on BC map 2B, 1914, and listed in the 1930 BC Gazetteer.

Source: BC place name cards, or correspondence to/from BC's Chief Geographer or BC Geographical Names Office

Dr. S Holland, geologist, advises that the range is bounded on the north by the headwaters of Clowhom River and Tatlow & Ashlu Creeks.

Source: BC place name cards, or correspondence to/from BC's Chief Geographer or BC Geographical Names Office

Tantalus Range likely named by WW I-era climber Basil S. Darling. Named for Tantalus, the son of Zeus (Jupiter) and King of Lydia in Greek mythology; Tantalus was honoured by the Gods yet mocked their trust and delighted in deceiving them, until, as punishment, he was cast into Hades, where water to quench his thirst was just out of reach, and fruits to quench his hunger were forever just beyond his grasp. Origin of the verb "tantalize" - this mountainous area tantalized Darling during all the years he viewed it from more accessible heights (file H.1.47). Also April 1940 letter from W.H. Mathews, file S.3.51.

Source: BC place name cards, or correspondence to/from BC's Chief Geographer or BC Geographical Names Office

The original name for the Tantalus mountains is Tsewílx and they have been used since the beginning of time for mountain goat hunting. The mountains themselves are actually tl'elhnáyem (mountain goat hunters) and their dogs, who during the mythological times were caught in a blizzard and immortalized as mountains, forever covered in a blanket of snow. Mountaineering and traversing were conducted by tl'elhnáyem, an elite class of professionals whose forte was navigating the mountainous realm in pursuit of the prized meat and fur of the mountain goat. These skilled professionals were trained from birth to adhere to the laws and conduct of their trade by spending time year round in the high elevation realm of the mountain goat, developing a relationship with the land and herds of animals. A typical hunt from start to finish would span six weeks and would involve spiritual preparation, spending time with the mountain goat herd to select which animals would give their lives. Once the hunter was successful, much protocol was followed in the procurement of the sacred animal. The role of the tl'elhnáyem was highly regarded because the fur, meat, horns, hooves and bones they provided were used to make specialized products for trade and daily use. The swúkw'elh (woven blankets) made from mountain goat fur are a symbol of wealth past and present. (December 2011 from: Cultural Journey Sea-to-Sky Corridor website, Squamish and Lil'wat First Nations)

Source: included with note