Built in 1928, Assiniboine Lodge is North America’s first backcountry ski lodge. It is located in Mt. Assiniboine Park. In 2010 BC Parks, working with the current lodge operators Andre Renner and Claude Duchesne, initiated an extensive restoration and stabilization project on Assiniboine Lodge. Achieving the project goal of maintaining the lodge’s historical significance and character, it remains a jewel in this magnificent part of the Canadian Rockies.
Backcountry Skiing
Get Informed. Be Inspired. Avalanche Awareness 101
Join presenter Brad Harrison, Canadian Avalanche Association Professional Member and Executive Director, Backcountry Lodges of BC Association. Brad regularly delivers AST, MAT & CRS courses for Avalanche Canada. Join us on Nov 17th at the MEC Vancouver Store.
By the end of the session, you will be familiar with:
- An introduction on avalanche awareness and safety basics
- Recognize avalanche terrain and avoid hazards
- Prepare for a backcountry trip
- Know how to use essential Companion Rescue equipment
Because you are a backcountry traveler, these are things you need to know.
2018 Snowfest Sponsor.
This clinic has been made possible with the support of our sponsor, the Backcountry Lodges of British Columbia Association.
We’re at the Banff Mountain Film Festival from Friday, Nov. 2nd to Sunday, Nov. 4th.
Stop by our booth in the Mountain Marketplace to learn more about our backcountry network, ask a question about avalanche awareness or just to say hi!
We also have a sweet contest running for your chance to win great prizes from G3 (Genuine Guide Gear) & True Outdoors!
Excerpt from Crowfoot Media
Written by: Lynn Martel | Photo: Bruce Roberts
Bernie Schiesser calls it fate, but the cast of characters in his bio reads like a who’s who of Rockies history. Over the course of his long life, Schiesser’s positive energy and remarkable contributions to many aspects of mountain life have firmly established him on that same roster. Here’s the story behind the man – the pioneer, guide, and backcountry host – who will forever have a legacy in the Canadian Rockies.
“Bernie Schiesser,” says long-time friend Randy Heppell, “taught me how to pace myself. Working, logging, skiing or just walking in the mountains, life became a meditation. He was always trying to get me to find that focus, that energy that put me in tune with what I was doing and the environment around me.”
Read the complete article at Crowfoot Media
Note: Bernie has been a longtime and active member of the Backcountry Lodges of BC Association. We are pleased that Meghan Ward and her staff at Crowfoot Media have helped to recognize Bernie’s immense contribution to Canada’s mountaineering community with this article.
Growth is in the Forecast – Tourism Engagement Council
The Backcountry Lodges of BC Association (BLBCA) has one of the most extensive backcountry accommodation networks in North America. Its membership includes thirty-one (31) backcountry lodges located in some of the most pristine wilderness locations in BC with headquarters in Kamloops. BLBCA lodge owners pride themselves in offering incredible multi-season opportunities to explore some of the world’s most breathtaking scenery, from the comfort and safety of a cozy mountain lodge.
BLBCA just hosted its fifteenth Annual General Meeting at Thompson Rivers University. Our team of backcountry operators boasts many years of combined experience hosting tourists in BC’s natural environment. A number of lodges are in fact celebrating over 30 years in operation this season.
“The popularity of people wanting to #unpluginbc and indulge in remote mountain locations has resulted in increased visitation and the association members have responded by offering quality backcountry experiences,” says Brad Harrison, BLBCA Executive Director.
As a result of this combined experience and growth in the adventure tourism sector, the Adventure Tourism Coalition of which the BLBCA is a member, was one of five prestigious tourism organizations invited to the Legislature in celebration and support of Tourism Week in BC.
A notable announcement during Tourism Week was the formation of The Honourable Lisa Beare’s new Tourism Engagement Council formed to “help guide government’s tourism policy, strategy and program implementation”. BLBCA’s Executive Director Brad Harrison was honoured to be named to the Council.
BLBCA Vision:
To enable Association lodges to touch the lives of guests with awe-inspiring adventures throughout British Columbia’s inimitable backcountry
Zoya Lynch and her family got hooked on Golden’s backcountry lifestyle in the early 1990s.
Her parents took a leap of faith and invested in the Amiskwi lodge in the back of the Blaeberry Valley.
As long time residents of Calgary, and with four young children, becoming a part of the backcountry lodge was quite the change for the family.
Now, Lynch and her sister Izzy are producing a short documentary to show how the little lodge in the backcountry changed their lives. They also received a $40,000 grant from STORYHIVE to create a virtual reality 360 degree immersive look at a typical backcountry winter trip.
The sisters have been working with Lululemon film creative Andrea Wing to create the virtual reality experience part of the two pieces they are creating.
In 1994, the Lynch family had an opportunity to invest and build the Amiskwi Lodge, and they quickly jumped on it.
“We ended up having this really cool side life in the mountains. It really shaped our lives now in a big way,” Lynch said, adding that her sister is now a professional skier and she is a professional adventure photographer. “Our path now has definitely been shaped by that split decision of my parents to take on the Amiskwi Lodge.”
The family’s story will be told in a video documentary that is less than 10 minutes long.
“2018 marks the 90th Anniversary of Assiniboine Lodge!
It is a very special time for the iconic mountain pioneers and the many guests who remain such an integral part of Assiniboine’s history.”
Experience hut magic through a virtual reality trip to Burnie Glacier Lodge with Arc’teryx athletes Christina Lustenberger & Greg Hill.
Stop by any Arc’teryx store for the full VR experience. Find more hut magic at www.arcteryx.com.
*To watch 360° videos you need the latest version of Chrome, Opera, Firefox, or MS Edge. To watch 360° videos on your phone you need the latest version of the YouTube app.
The BLBCA participated at this year’s MEC Snowfest in Vancouver on Nov. 18th. Executive Director, Brad Harrison attended the event and presented a well-attended Avalanche Awareness 101 clinic.
The clinic provided an intro on avalanche awareness and safety basics. Attendees learned how to recognize avalanche terrain and avoid hazards, test essential survival equipment used in companion rescue, and received tips on prepping for a backcountry trip.
Harrison, a Canadian Avalanche Association Professional Member, regularly delivers AST, MAT & CRS courses for Avalanche Canada.
Past Event Details:
- Saturday, Nov. 18th, 2017
- MEC Vancouver – 130 West Broadway
What is MEC Snowfest:
- It’s a way to welcome winter and help people get excited about snow. There are MEC Snowfest events across Canada and each one features activities that are popular in that region—everything from winter running to ice climbing. Snowfest brings together experts and beginners, families and individuals, and all those curious about where and how to fun in winter
MEC Snowfest Facts & Features:
- In Vancouver, festival attendance averages 3,500-4,500 members
- Snow Swap has been a fixture in Vancouver for 30+ years
- Dozens of brands & community groups are represented in-store at Snowfest each year
The BLBCA and our 30 member-lodges are active in our local communities, attending industry events, devoting time to notable advocacy work in the community, and participating in local government planning and strategy sessions.
More from the BLBCA:
Dreaming a Life, Boulder Hut.
Against much good, solid advice we said, “Why not?” And the choice to follow a dream and not good advice has defined our lives ever since.
4 Ways to Experience BC’s Backcountry Lodges in Summer
Explore BC blog
March 8, 2017
It’s been an incredible winter season in BC, and before long, the snow will melt and thoughts will shift from winter to summer. That doesn’t mean BC’s backcountry lodges should be forgotten. There are plenty of other ways to experience these alpine retreats in summer.
1. Mountain Bike From Your Doorstep
Nestled in the Monashee Mountains, 2.5 hours south of Revelstoke, there is a growing network of alpine single-track trails right out the door of Sol Mountain Lodge. Primarily operating as a ski touring lodge since 2005, Sol has expanded its summer offerings. There are 20 kilometres (12 miles) of flowy, single-track trails that run through meadows and forests, along alpine ridges, and over rock slabs that wind in and out of Monashee Provincial Park. The lodge opens in August for mountain biking, with options to book an overnight stay or just a day trip. Access to the lodge and terrain is via the 1.9-kilometre (1.1-mile) “Park N Ride” trail from the parking lot.
https://vimeo.com/151686035
Another lodge just outside Revelstoke is also offering mountain biking this summer. Marty Schaffer, owner and guide at Blanket Glacier Chalet, explored the terrain surrounding the lodge last summer and found a biking paradise. Plans are in the works to offer 3- and 4-day mountain biking trips with access by helicopter. Keep an eye on the Blanket Glacier Chalet website for upcoming details on new summer operations.
2. Standup Paddleboard on Alpine Lakes
3. Take a Hike and Stretch it Out
After all that hiking, stretching is a must. A few backcountry lodges in BC are beginning to offer special yoga retreats. At Sol Mountain Lodge, daily hiking, yoga classes, vegetarian meals, and interactive workshops are all offered over four days this August. The program is hosted by Beth Purser, an ACMG (Association of Certified Mountain Guides) guide, natural health practitioner, and registered yoga instructor. Beth is also hosting a yoga retreat at Purcell Mountain Lodge, which will include a helicopter transfer to the lodge, accommodation, and meals. More details on that experience to follow on the lodge’s website.
4. Sneak In One More Ski Trip
Learn more about BC’s backcountry lodges and find the an alpine retreat that offers your favourite summer and winter activities.
Article written by Destination British Columbia with collaboration from the BLBCA.
More from the BLBCA:
The backcountry community is buzzing after some interesting events in a search and rescue effort at Sun Peaks this past week. For the first time in BC, a drone was used to assist in locating missing skiers and snowboarders.
Canadian Adventure Company’s story is captured in this video by Backpacker Magazine of a trip to Mallard Mountain Lodge with editors, photographers, and skiers for an annual gear testing trip.
LESSONS – G3’S STEP OUTSIDE SHORT FILM SERIES – EP. 3.
Lifetime backcountry guides Evan Stevens (IFMGA) and Jasmin Caton (ACMG) have learned a lot about what makes or breaks a good backcountry ski experience at Valhalla Mountain Touring. They each enjoy the daily lessons they get from a day in the mountains and enjoy sharing it with skiers who join them along the way.
Join BLBCA and True Outdoors for a FREE Backcountry 101 clinic!
Whether you’ve already spent long days carving turns in backcountry powder, or you’re just considering venturing out for the first time, Backcountry 101 will have something for everyone.
We’re at the Banff Mountain Film Festival from Friday, Nov. 4th to Sunday, Nov. 6th.
Stop by our booth in the Mountain Marketplace to learn more about our backcountry network, ask a question about avalanche awareness or just to say hi!
We’ll also have a sweet contest running for your chance to win great backcountry prizing from True Outdoors!
Mountain history is alive and well at Assiniboine Lodge. Mt. Assiniboine Provincial Park is a place of pristine wilderness with its shimmering lakes, glacier clad mountains and flower-filled alpine meadows.
Gain insight into the story of Canadian Adventure Company in this great look at Mallard Mountain Lodge.
A great look at Ice Creek Lodge in this clip from The Powder Highway.
It’s been an epic winter in the backcountry and we’ve compiled a look at just how awesome it’s been so far, with this collection of images and info from some of our member lodges.
Assiniboine is a place of soaring glacier clad peaks, alpine meadows, powder snow, turquoise lakes and remote wilderness. For generations the area was the center of trade routes and often battles among indigenous peoples.
http://unofficialnetworks.com/
As a prominent El Niño trend continues to gain steam in the Pacific Ocean, climatologists at the National Weather Service’s Climate Prediction Center claimed Thursday that every one of their computer models are predicting a El Niño to reach peak intensity during the late fall/early winter months. Read the complete article.
Boulder Hut Adventures on Facebook
~July 29~
Check out this quick video teaser from the Bomb Snow TV episodes by Bridger Brigade Productions and start dreaming of your winter lines at Boulder Hut Adventures.
Dolores LaChapelle once said, “Joy is the response of a lover receiving what he loves. This is the joy we feel when skiing powder… This overflowing gratitude is what produces the absolutely stupid, silly grins that we always flash at one another at the bottom of a powder run.
This image is just in from the folks at Talus Lodge. Beautiful conditions persist!
Snow has arrived in BC and the backcountry lodges are loving it! Here are some inspiring images showcasing the skiing bounty that currently exists at the lodges. check it out and keep your powder skiing fire stoked! (photo: Garrett Grove)
Yes, Snow is falling and quickly blanketing the myriad of peaks that stand as highlights in the backcountry of British Columbia. The Backcountry Lodges of BC are just opening their doors this season for skiers and snowboarders to enjoy the bliss of untracked powder and the solace of backcountry lodge living.