Celebrating The Province’s Naturally Flowing Waterways on September 26th For more than four decades, British Columbians have celebrated BC Rivers Day on the fourth Sunday in September, making it the largest river appreciation event throughout Canada. The day serves to both celebrate and build awareness of our natural waterways through independently hosted events from local […]
Recreating Safely in Natural Bear Habitats British Columbia’s backcountry offers several incredible attributes, from stunning landscapes and unspoiled alpine views to solitude and integration with nature. Another awe-inspiring offering provided by the backcountry is the extensive wildlife that you may encounter along the way; perhaps viewing wildlife – safely and responsibly – is even the […]
Recreating Responsibly in the Backcountry During Fire Season On July 20th, 2021, the B.C. Government declared a provincial state of emergency in response to the ongoing wildfire situation. The declaration, made by Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General, Mike Farnworth, came into effect on July 21st, 2021, upon the recommendation from the BC Wildfire […]
The Benefits of Being Near, In, or On Water There’s something about a body of water that pulls us in. We are drawn to lakes, rivers, and oceans – especially in these warm, sunny months, eager for a paddle or SUP atop glassy waters or to plunge in and cool off after a rewarding hike. […]
A Recommended Reading List from the BLBCA Team Whether you are an adventurous bibliophile or a bibliophilic adventurist, we know there is something wonderful about sticking your nose in a great piece of outdoor literature. This has never been truer than these days while we are all staying close to home but yearning for the […]
How the BLBCA Celebrates Earth Day, Every Day Earth Day is nearly here, along with conversations focused on climate change and global warming, aiming to raise awareness and inspire action toward the protection of the environment and need for conservation. As leaders in sustainability initiatives, we take responsible tourism seriously, so you can enjoy unspoiled […]
5 Tips for Your Safety and Well-Being – Along with the Environment’s Those of us who have had the good fortune to enjoy adventures in the backcountry know what it’s like to take in the unspoiled environment and scenery. It’s important to recognize and understand the impact that our recreation can have on the backcountry […]
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 […]
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 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 […]
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 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 […]
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.
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 […]
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 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.
Whether you’re planning your first backcountry adventure or have years of experience, these resources will help you prepare, travel responsibly, and make informed decisions. Explore practical advice, safety information, videos, and trusted organizations before heading into British Columbia’s backcountry. Know Before You Go Start here. Learn the basics of planning a safe and enjoyable backcountry […]
It was another gorgeous summer at Purcell Mountain Lodge, filled with long hikes and stunning backcountry. There’s over 3,000 acres of rolling alpine meadows, endless fields of wildflowers and countless peaks and ridges, set against a backdrop of tumbling glaciers and alpine vistas. Take a peek at the past summer season
It was a beauty-filled summer in the backcountry at Valhalla Mountain Touring. In summer, guests can stroll on paths and trails to access flower filled ridges with big mountain views, peaks and alpine lakes. It’s perfect for hikers, photographers, wildlife and wildflower viewing.
The backcountry beckons! Perhaps your guests are rock climbing, upgrading skills in a course or hiking the Alpine. As a backcountry enthusiast, they’re prepared and probably have several backup plans. Those plans should include travel medical insurance and evacuation coverage.
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.
Summer is always a beautiful time of year at Selkirk Mountain Experience. Featuring amazing hikes, wildlife, swimming, beautiful sunsets and more, there’s something for everyone.
Riding BC’s alpine singletrack is the coveted jewel of all mountain riding – but its not great all of the time.
The fine folks at Talus Lodge have been busy this spring and summer.