Introducing Our Guest Photo Judge, Jamie Out We’ve all had to sacrifice this past year: less travel, fewer visits with friends, perhaps more time spent indoors than we would have liked. One thing that has remained constant throughout this pandemic is the beautiful nature that surrounds us. For those of us that crave the outdoors, […]
“Shop Local” Is No Longer Just a Slogan; It Represents Solidarity As we approach the one-year mark of the global pandemic, it’s not a secret that the impact has been felt greatly across Canada – especially within the retail industry. Nowhere is that more apparent than the higher levels of economic damage encountered by small […]
Destination BC Encourages Residents to Share Their Love From the heart of our cities to the farthest reaches of our wilderness, there are so many places across BC that inspire connection, rejuvenation and transformation. Until it’s safe to travel again, our memories and photos can give us a renewed sense of appreciation for everything that […]
5 Reasons to Try a Local Backcountry Lodge This Season Winter trips to a lodge in the backcountry are rite of passage for those who want to experience the outdoors in a more intimate and connected manner. It’s the destination, but it’s also the journey. You’ll be hauling your gear and earning your turns, making […]
Tuning Into the Natural World to Get Present It’s the beginning of a new year, though perhaps with little reprieve, as much of the uncertainty of last year has carried over like a long lingering haze. For many, the current global events have taken a toll on mental health, as we continue to follow provincial […]
BLBCA Lodges Follow Safe Operating Plans for Winter Things will be different in the backcountry this winter, but we can all relax a wee bit knowing that BLBCA member lodges are stepping up to the challenge and working hard to keep staff and guests safe this winter. In May, our organization developed an association-level BLBCA […]
The BLBCA is proud to sponsor the best “Mountain Short Film” award at this year’s virtual Banff Mountain Film Festival. We hope you get a chance to watch some of the films. Don’t forget to enter, 3 groups of prizes that are perfect to set you up for the winter. Tickets are limited, you have […]
BLBCA member lodge owners come from many walks of life. I have been in the adventure tourism business most of my life and know all of our 32 owners pretty well. Along with his wife Carrie, Cole Pearn is the newish owner of Golden Alpine Holidays, a system of 4 backcountry lodges located in the […]
We, the BLBCA members, can’t wait to get off our computers, phones and get back into the mountains, where we are most at home. We would love to have you join us again and we are anxiously waiting and hoping the Covid-19 pandemic will subside as soon as possible But, as Destination BC – has suggested, #exploreBC…later. We […]
The mountains are beckoning, but you might want to reconsider the urge to go backcountry skiing right now. I get it, we have fresh snow coming our way and it is very alluring. I would love to get a few more days of riding in, but there are other things to consider. Yes, technically you […]
The Board of Directors of the BLBCA are recommending that all member lodges suspend their winter operations as expediently as possible and remain closed until such time that the BC Centre for Disease Control, CDC , and Dr. Bonnie Henry, Provincial Health Officer, have determined that the emergency is over. Guests should be assisted in […]
Spring is a wonderful time to check out BC’s amazing backcountry, particularly at BLBCA lodge. Our 32 members offer a wide array of facilities and services. Use our Find a Lodge tool to find your perfect destination. The conditions are often amazing long after many ski resorts have closed for the season. Take a peek […]
The only way to win is to play. When you share your love of the backcountry, you get entries into a draw for one of 3 BLBCA lodge stays. The more you share, the more entries you’ll get and the better your chances are to win! We’ve teamed up with Sol Mountain Lodge, Wells Gray Adventures, and Golden […]
The BLBCA is pleased to welcome Tyax Adventures as the newest full member to our association. Tyax Adventures is located in the heart of British Columbia wilderness, specifically in the unique landscape of the South Chilcotin Mountain Range. The operation recently celebrated its 20th anniversary, and is operated by Dale and Jane Douglas. Their vision has […]
Backcountry Skiing at Burnie Glacier, Northern British Columbia | 57hours Review by Lee Lau – Vancouver-based backcountry skier, mountain biker and writer. Revelstoke, Whistler, Rogers Pass, the Selkirks, the Rockies. Mention Canadian ski destinations and the eyes of powder hounds glaze over and their minds travel to these hallowed lands, these meccas.
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 […]
Our spring contest has closed and we’ve announced the winners of our three amazing BLBCA backcountry experiences, courtesy of Mount Carlyle Backcountry Lodge, Wells Gray Adventures, and Sol Mountain Lodge. Check to see if you were a lucky winner!
Unplug in BC, and win a stay with the BLBCA! We’ve teamed up with Sol Mountain Lodge, Wells Gray Adventures, and Mount Carlyle Backcountry Lodge, so you can extend your backcountry fun and spend the summer with us. Enter to win one of three amazing BLBCA experiences.
Support the BLBCA and become an affiliate member in less time than it takes to put your ski boots on! Sign up today and receive a $25 gift card from True Outdoors. Follow the steps to sign up now!
Pique Magazine Coalition highlights importance of adventure tourism to rural B.C. as it heads into 2019 ATC highlights land tenure issues as obstacles to industry growth By Joel Barde Though still in its infancy, the Adventure Tourism Coalition (ATC) is already recognized as a major stakeholder in B.C.’s robust tourism industry.
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: […]
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 […]
Mountain biking should take place in well, the mountains, and there’s something special about sharing that experience with friends and family. Unique vistas, with layers of unadulterated peaks definitely will help you put down that phone and capture real moments in time. True Mountain biking has long been a coveted experience for the sports elitist. […]
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 […]
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 […]
Excerpt from www.osprey.com Written by: Kylee Toth Ohler | Photo: Robb Thompson Posted by Kami York-Feirn | December 7, 2017 I have always loved the act of being in motion from the time I was a small girl on skis at 18 months, through my teen years as a competitive speed skater and now as a multi-sport athlete. The drive […]
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 […]
“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.”
“As we hiked the 7½ miles to Purcell Mountain Lodge, we skipped straight over the small talk. With our phones tucked discreetly in our packs, we got to know each other on the kind of deep level that’s unique to the backcountry, where time slows and an hour feels like a day.”
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 […]
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 […]
It’s almost that time of year, the Banff Mountain Film Festival is right around the corner, and the BLBCA will be there! Look for our booth in the Mountain Marketplace from Friday, Nov. 3rd to Sunday, Nov. 5th. Learn about our backcountry lodge network, ask about avalanche awareness, or come for a free sticker! We’ll […]
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.
The BLBCA held its Annual General Meeting (AGM) this past week on June 7th – 8th, in Kamloops, BC. Members of the Association gathered for two days packed with industry-related information, updates from both the staff and BOD.
The BLBCA is excited to be participating in the Plaid Goat Mountain Bike Fest this June 23 -25 in Canmore, AB! Plaid Goat Mountain Bike Fest is a three-day festival with a buffet of for-fun activities.
2017 Bike to Work & School Week is May 29 to June 4! Bike to Work Week started 23 years ago in Victoria! From humble beginnings it has grown to include more than 52 communities and 37,000 participants BC-wide in 2016 and it continues to grow. In 2016, more than 52 regions/communities across BC participated […]
The Backcountry Lodges of British Columbia Association is joining communities, cities and regions around British Columbia to recognize National Tourism Week—May 28 to June 3, 2017.
Ever wondered why every single backcountry lodge has a special feel to it? I’ve visited many of them and am trying to get to more because they are always carefully placed by people who understand a human desire for wilderness. They are remote, beautiful and welcoming and they encourage a relationship with the people we […]
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 […]
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.