Tune-maker in a ski resort (8)

I believe the answer is:

whistler

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'ski resort' is the definition.
(Whistler is a Canadian ski resort)

I don't understand the remainder of the clue.

(Other definitions for whistler that I've seen before include "American-born Victorian artist" , "He famously painted his mother" , "James --, US artist" , "pretending to be brave in the dark?" , "American painter, 1834-1903" .)

I've seen this clue in the Sydney Morning Herald.

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