It is your holiday and you can truly do what you want to. If you want to relax and not do anything, you are more than welcome to remain in and around the lodge and are able to enjoy the many features that are available. You may choose to have a holiday where there is a mixture of relaxing and activities. Whatever you choose, you can decide on what you want out of your stay. Read More >>
A stay at Journeyman Lodge is one where you are able to just relax and enjoy yourself. Everything is all-inclusive meaning that the only thing that you need to worry about is what to do next. There is so much terrain that you will be spoiled for choice. To top it all off, you can dine on fantastic meals that are cooked to perfection.
It is your holiday and you can truly do what you want to. If you want to relax and not do anything, you are more than welcome to remain in and around the lodge and are able to enjoy the many features that are available. You may choose to have a holiday where there is a mixture of relaxing and activities. Whatever you choose, you can decide on what you want out of your stay. Read More >>
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There's at least one of those friends in every group. If you've seen that Portlandia episode "Gotta get the gear", you'll know EXACTLY what we're referring to. Gear heads, gear junkies, outdoor gear nerds... we're not sure which title they prefer more. If one of these individuals is on your Christmas list and you haven't already braved the crowds to seek out the most perfect gift, we have you covered! #1 - SPOT Connect
At the beginning of each season, while season pass holders and day users patiently wait for the surrounding Nordic facilities to open their respective trail networks, the team at Callaghan Country prep for another shovel marathon. Although some seasons are easier than others due to a larger initial snowfall or a better settled snow pack, all trails must be broken in. All facilities deal with this at the beginning of each season, but small organizations like ourselves can find this time of year particularly labour intensive...nearby wildlife is likely to pick up on some grunting and cursing in the woods! In general, Callaghan Country has two types of trails, ones with a dirt road base, and ones without. In the summer-time, some are obviously roads, while others are just a cut right of way through the woods. For example, both Mainline and Real life/Wild Spirit are road based trails, whereas Parkway, Lost Crew, Conflict Lake, Ring, and Solitude are simply cleared right of ways. Here's where our work gets tricky...right of way trails still have large boulders, water features and wood debris on the ground underneath the snow, resulting in significantly more shoveling to get the trails to a stability that the snowcat can drop its tiller safely and groom through. While road based trails are fairly simple to break in (only requiring a few passes of the snowmobile to pack the snow down), non road based trails are extremely...let me say it again, EXTREMELY labour intensive. In particular, Parkway, the portion of trail that connects Mainline at Callaghan Lake to Wild Spirit requires an enormous amount of attention. As our summer visitors would know, Parkway has some fairly abrupt features, such as; large river crossings, large boulders, narrow pathways, as well as many sharp corners and dips. In addition, the dense forest canopy through Parkway limits the volume of snow that reaches the ground, resulting in less material to work with. Initially, Parkway requires the trail crew to snowshoe the entire trail, making at least four passes side by side. The purpose of this is to start the packing process, and give the trail crew a solidified path of snow to focus the build on. In the past the crew would attempt to get a snowmobile through immediately but, clever folks that we are, have learned the added step of snowshoe stomping is a more effective use of time in the long run. Once snowshoed several times over, the crew will attempt to get a snowmobile through. This task usually proves to be far more technical than just driving through...remember those abrupt terrain features? The snowmobile has a tendency to break through to the vegetated portion of the snowpack, which is generally unconsolidated early season. This makes it easy to spin the snowmobile’s track...a seemingly simple task ends up taking the better half a day (essentially we all become Charlie Brown on these days...good grief!). Once the initial sled pass occurs, the team will try to widen the trail with more sled passes, which usually results in a sled breaking through a creek crossing or some other feature, again resulting in a potentially lengthy removal (no more Charlie Brown here...it's all The Incredible Hulk now). With the added energy of 'Hulk Aggression', we eventually find success! Now, the crew can focus on terrain features still poking through the snow...mainly, stumps and rocks. These features must be buried or ramped so the snowcat’s tiller and/or track does not snag them, potentially costing thousands of dollars in damage...yikes! In addition, the trail’s dips and sharp turns are smoothed out by shovel. Uneven ground and ‘swivelling’ can cause the snowcat to throw a track, resulting in 'yet another' loss of one or more day's work (and this stuff is specialized...we like to call it 'in-the-field snowcat repair'). Next up, all bridge decks must have consolidated snow on both their approach and departure to reduce the chance of the snowcat sliding off the edge of the bridge. At this point, the trail has likely been open for several days, if not weeks, when snowfall has not been persistent. Although the crew will have dragged a snowmobile roller through, the trail may still have too many protrusions to risk the snowcat’s beloved tiller. It is only once enough snow has fallen on the precisely sculpted trail bed that a snowcat can eventually get through the narrow trail. Up to this point, all trail work and upkeep (shovel grooming) has been done by hand...our hands. Even once the Piston Bully100, Callaghan Country’s ‘small’ snowcat gets through, shoveling may persist to keep many of the stumps and boulders under the snow's surface. Moreover, once the small snowcat has gotten through several times, the trail crew switches their focus to getting the Piston Bully300, a much wider snowcat through. Depending on the season and how deep the snowpack is, the trail network’s upgrading is constant, and fingers X'd, can be carried out by the snowcats alone. Now, during those 'dark days' more commonly known as shallow snow pack years, like the one BC's Coast experienced in the winter of 2014/15, we are constantly shovelling to allow the snowcat’s safe passage. In addition, extreme events like heavy rainfall and flooding can easily destroy the trail over night (sigh!). Many of the creeks in the region swell beyond their drainage capacity, resulting in overflow, which not only takes the snow with it, but in some instances significant portions of the road as well. Although these events can be both dangerous and frustrating - with enough shovelling, the trail crew can make anything work, and the trail should reopen within a few days at the most...that is our magic! So what is the point of all this work? Essentially, the purpose is:
Although this level of labour is difficult to balance with a small staff, it is essential to the operation of Callaghan Country, and our team is 'deep-down' happy to carry it out...after all, Callaghan Country did not get to where it is today without...a labour of love.
Soul. Wilderness. These words hint at a common thread; the truth our human condition aches for. Those of us who are lucky enough to play in the mountains sense this truth, but it is so deeply entrenched, it sometimes has to be pointed out to us...this stuff is profound. In their new book "Soul of Wilderness" John Baldwin and Linda Bily achieve a solid punch of recognition at this profundity.
John and Linda have been to Journeyman Lodge many times over the years and we were more than honoured when they decided to formally tie the knot at our venue. This remarkable duo are launching their book in Squamish and Whistler this week, giving presentations:
Thursday,Nov.19 - Squamish Public Library. 6:30pm 37907 Second Avenue, SQUAMISH
Friday, Nov.20 - Whistler Arts Council. 7:00pm at Millenium Place, WHISTLER $10.00 fee It kinda goes without saying, but...if you're in our neck of the woods, we think you should attend ;) Earlier this week, they appeared on the Global News - morning addition to promote the book. Give the video below a gander for summary in their own words along with a sneak peak at the artful photography inside.
Here's our Thanksgiving Ode from, Karen, one of Callaghan Country's biggest fans on cross country skis. It's her 12 Months of Callaghan Country pictorial that she's gathered over her multiple seasons of fan-hood. There's plenty to be thankful for; let's start with October... We are super stoked to announce our new lodge hosts for the 2015/16 Winter Season... (drumroll, please!) Introducing, Ryan Malcolm & Rebecca Luscombe!
From the mountains of Costa Rica to the wilderness of British Columbia; this duo share our love of beckoning landscapes, authentic pursuits and the value of genuine hospitality. They are an exciting addition to the Callaghan Country team and oh, the stories they can tell... Ryan started working at his parent’s fine dining restaurant - A Bit of Nostalgia in Kingston Ontario - at a young age, taking on the role of waiter, bartender, and FOH manager for over 15 years as well as entertaining by singing with his father and brothers. In 2004 Ryan won Canadian Idol, after which he released a solo album and toured the world (that's right, he snags celebrity status). A few years later Ryan started his band Low Level Flight. They released two albums and toured Canada, Europe and Asia. Rebecca attended York University’s Glendon College and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts. During this time she developed a keen interest in the food & beverage industry, cultivating her skills at various cafes and restaurants in Toronto, Ontario as a barista, as a waitress, and most flavourfully, as a cook. Her proudest tenures include a couple of Toronto’s top independent cafes - Riverdale Perk, and Les Louises Fine Foods. The couple were introduced by mutual friends at a Broken Social Scene concert in Toronto and they've been together ever since, diving into life's adventures with full vigour. Their most recent adventure led them to the remote mountain village of El Castillo, Costa Rica to open Tres Cabras Restaurante as a joint effort with Nepenthe Bed & Breakfast. Here, Ryan ran the front of house, always greeting guests like they were old friends, making people feel at home and often singing for them (how cool is that?!). Rebecca managed the kitchen, planning nightly menus with the finest locally sourced ingredients to carefully create beautiful dishes that received grand reviews (can't wait to taste some of her exquisite soups!). For their next adventure, Ryan and Rebecca will be calling Journeyman Lodge home and joining the Callaghan Country crew for an ultimate Canadian winter in the Coast Mountains of British Columbia. If you haven't already made plans to partake in an overnight adventure at Journeyman this winter, do it! You can also make a day trip of it and visit them for lunch in the alpine or partake in one of Callaghan Country's social ski events. What a great winter it is going to be! Lovely hike review from Dog Blog, Led Astray...A couple of weeks ago, I finally took a much needed (and long overdue) adventure to British Columbia, Canada – for the very first time. I have been calling Toronto my home-base for a year and a half again now (since returning from living in Costa Rica) and have been feeling very landlocked and trapped by this urban jungle as a result. The mountains were beckoning and I had to listen to their call. Read More>>
Life is hectic and friendships are invaluable. Let's be honest, taking lead on planning a ski vacation with your friends can be intimidating and seem full of insipid hassles. But really, bonding + shenanigans in the mountains = THE GOOD STUFF, so go ahead, put on your captain's hat and take helm of the good-ship, friendship...someone needs to do it. You decide on the general Where & When. That's the luxury of spearheading a ski vacation...it's your baby! Get a clear picture of the kind of memories you're setting out to forge and the skill level required to pull it off...lift access, self-propelled backcountry adventure, or maybe even heli-ski? Think skiing off-piste steeps, jabbing through glades and hucking powder bumps vs. cruising corduroy and kicking back in a bustling apres lounge. Pick a general mountain range or ski town and do some research into the typical weather and visitation patterns. That tiny bit of research can make a colossal difference. I'll never forget my buddy who planned his bachelor party in Whistler during Pride week...not quite the ambience he was shooting for. I've also attended a gay bachelor party during Pride time...clearly well-executed. Weather patterns may not be as cut and dry, but you can get a good sense of the general trends from looking back at previous season social media feeds. Are the Instagram posts from April still full of pow glory? (at Journeyman Lodge, that would be a heck ya!). Round up the crew. Define the group...would these be friends from the highschool or college era? Would it be a posse that's bonded over outdoor pursuits? Hey, some of us even like the people we work with. At any rate, pitch the idea and feel out the response. Are spouses/partners joining? This can be a bit of a double edged sword; if our mates are a natural part of the crew, the social dynamic is likely to flow with ease and the beefier head count can help snag some nice group savings. On the other hand, a not-so-familiar partner may find themselves particularly insecure among your peeps and as a result, reliably crusty and withholding. We've all experienced this dark cloud at one point or another, and its a familiar buzz-kill that's easy to avoid when simple group limits have been announced, "Sorry, muffin. We've storied this trip for ages and now we're gonna make it happen. No spouses." Crunch the numbers. Make a plan. How much is everyone willing to spend? Be thoughtful not to stretch that friend who's only working part-time or still paying off a massive debt. Friendships can cross financial boundaries. If some buds are hell-bent on upping the ante on 'rich' experiences, would your group consider a proportional to income approach to the the budget? Keep the budget in mind as you work out an ideal itinerary and be sure to maintain your priorities...the ski days. Reference and tally all the costs associated with your itinerary and confirm it's a go with the crew. Take the money & Lock it in In taking reservations I know, first hand, you should get your friends to fork it over before booking anything. It's nice to think that your peeps would be the last leave you hanging but, realistically, until that cash is in your hand...it's a recipe for friendship disaster. You're going to see way more deals if you pre-book and purchase major trip elements with a credit card; as the trip organizer, that's likely going to be your credit card (think: flights, accommodations, gear rentals, tickets). At this stage, be sure to seek out group discounts. Many tourism operators are happy to offer some sort of deal when you are bringing more than a few people to their point of commerce. Sometimes this is obvious and already laid out; usually, its in the cards if you've got the gumption to ask, "Since I'm booking this as one hefty transaction, can you offer me a better rate?". Seriously consider trip cancellation and medical insurance. Print, save, and prepare everything as it happens. Communicate! Experiences come with expectations, be sure to manage them Hopefully you've already read the fine print, but make sure everyone else knows about that stuff too. It's amazing how commonplace assumptions can be, and they sure have an affinity to make things awkward. Are you anticipating a scenario where gratuities might be in order? Are rentals going to be available on at the mountain or in the village? Do you have vegan bud? There's an obvious vibe when everyone's on the same page and it's up to you to ensure it's a positive one. So, now you have the steps. Make it happen. Turns out the drive to share our experiences with each other is innate and with the proper execution, your ski vacation can deliver moments that will seem to matter more. Escaping to the mountains with our peeps makes for the best kind of bonding. Get to it. Forge those golden memories.
It's happening again! Even though the weather patterns have been challenging this Summer, we are excited to open the doors of Journeyman Lodge to all and host this unique family friendly event.
Escape to a setting where food is found among the paths we walk, experience mountain camaraderie and explore nature at its best. The festival celebrates the history of the huckleberry and this year we will take a closer look at the roles that foods from the forest play in the cultivation of local cultural and natural heritage. Yes we will be serving FREE pancakes and entertaining the ever popular Pie-Topper contest, but there is so much more to the Huckleberry Festival. There will be nature talks, yoga, live music, children's nature art, interpretive hiking, tea tasting, and of course sauna-basking. Itinerary Includes:
It's all happening Sunday, September 13th! Don't forget it's a wee bit different getting to Journeyman Lodge in the summer… Self-Drive and Hike: Follow the Callaghan Lake Forest Service Road to Callaghan Lake. It is about 8.5km from the Alexander Falls base to Callaghan Lake on a rough road and it takes about 20 – 35 minutes. We recommend using a vehicle with good clearance (4WD preferred). The trail to the lodge begins about 250m before you reach the lake – look for the sign on your left. There is a small clearing just off the road – park here. From here, the hike is 4.5 km and will take between 1.5 – 2 hours depending on your ability and fitness level. Trail Talk Words and phrases to sound like you know what you’re doing at Ski Callaghan “Put the hammer down” – a racing term meaning to push as hard as possible. Akin to the Albertan “give’r.” Thick for kick, thin to win – a little slogan to help remember which wax to use and when. Kick wax should be laid on thick with some texture for grip, while a thin layer of glide wax will help the skis glide quickly and smoothly across the snow. However if its snowing thick clumps of clumping types of snow, you may need to carry glide wax with you everywhere you go... even not when skiing.. you never know. Shmoo – Ungroomed or “crappy,” unconsolidated snow. If you want to be identified as a whiner or an elitist, use this word frequently. Death Cookies – chunks of ice found on Nordic trails. Hitting one (or several) usually results in a significant loss of balance, composure and style. Avoid them if you’re trying to impress anyone. Death cookies frequently occur when the conditions are icy. For example: “I hit a death cookie and totally bailed, man.” Newbie – someone new to the sport of cross-country skiing. Easily identified by wearing pants tucked into boots and/or downhill skiing or snowboarding outerwear. Carries equipment with general confusion and disarray. Often seen puzzling over how to engage boots into skis. Or, conversely, seen sitting forlornly waiting for someone to release them from their leg hold trap. CALLAGHAN COUNTRY EDICT IS TO BE VERY KIND TO THESE BRAVE SOULS. Mamil – Middle aged man in lycra. Self-explanatory. Never use this word in the presence of a mamil. They are not bad people. They are men in lycra. And lycra is the best. Alpenis – A male cross-country skier. Known for being particular about trail conditions and showing up to ski at 8 o’clock. Body packing – falling so hard snow gets into every crevice of your body and the skier has packed snow in and around his or her body. “Nice trows” – a compliment given VERY selectively to unusually amazing lycra displays. Nordic Norm – the quintessential Nordic man. Spoke and stroke – not what you or your filthy mind think. A skate skiing technique in which the skier plants his or her pole, and glides along. N.S.P. – An abbreviation for Nordic Social Progression, or, in layman’s terms, “partying.” Most evening soirees by Nordic skiers wrap up by 9 p.m. Diet sticks – A term given to skate skis because of their thin profile. Frequent use of “diet sticks” may also give the skier a thin appearance, that of being on a “diet.” Dieting sucks; cross country ski instead. Grazing – the way you eat if you’re a real cross-country racer. Nordic Norm hasn’t eaten three meals a day since the 1970s. Grazing entails eating frequent, small quantities of micronutrients (also known as rabbit food). Sitzmark - The large hole or indentation left behind from a fallen skier. It is good manners to fill in any sitzmarks you make in the trail. As if falling wasn’t embarrassing enough, now you must CLEAN UP YOUR MESS. |
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