For the ambitious XC skiers, make a full and invigorating day of it by skiing up to the Solitude Valley trails stopping in for a 'sui generis' dining experience in the Journeyman Lodge alpine dining room.  Chef Elsa's preparing a special Valentine menu for the day that's particularly flirtlicious (that's right, we said it)...  enjoy your choice of the two daily hot soups to warm up, followed by an artisan sandwich alongside a warm winter spiced brownie topped with chantilly.  Be sure to reserve ahead to ensure your table for two!

February in the Callaghan - It's the perfect time to rekindle passions and warm hearts.  This Valentine's Day, we're inviting you to fall in love with winter and the wilds of Callaghan.  It's a slightly different kind of romance; one of a topophilic or biophilic nature.  Our Lodge Host & Outdoor Worker, Charlie, offers up some musings of his own new found love here, complete with the delights and dispairs of off-grid connections... 

We are excited to launch the Snowshuttle program this year with the addition of our new snowcat. The new cat features a larger cabin which can accommodate up to 15 passengers all while staying comfortably heated and enjoying the panoramic views on the drive up to Callaghan Lake.⁠

From the lake you can enjoy both high elevation Nordic skiing and impressive access some of the best untracked backcountry skiing around. 

The shuttle will run 2 trips in the morning; one at 8:00am and another at 11:00am.
The cat will also be available for 1 trip down from the lake leaving at 3:00pm.

For more details on the Snowshuttle and to book your seat now Click the link below
Snowcat Shuttle

There's a lot that goes on behind the scenes which makes this place go around. This summer our team has been busier than ever fixing things up for the season and putting in some major upgrades.

Yesterday was the icing on the cake to cap off the summer with our new generator for the lodge being flown in. Our operations manager Patrick (left) and lodge manager Nick (right) share a celebratory coffee to mark a job well done.

The new generator brings a whole host of improvements which are going to make your stay up at the lodge even more relaxing. It will add more power capacity to the lodge allowing us to provide a heated boot and glove drying unit for your convenience. There's no better feeling than waking up early to go skiing and having warm, dry gloves.

​Mark your calendars for Saturday, September 24th, when Journeyman Lodge welcomes hikers of all ages for a FREE PANCAKE BREAKFAST!  Escape to a setting where food is found among the paths we walk, experience mountain camaraderie and explore nature at its best.  Join on the Facebook Event and Invite your Friends >>

SCHEDULE...

• 8:00am suggested arrival at the Callaghan Lake parking area and trailhead 
• Please allow for a minimum 2 hr hike into Journeyman Lodge.  Be sure to pick a cup of berries along the way so you can deliver them to our Lodge Chef for the huckleberry pancakes
• 9:00am-Noon Pancake Brunch and social in the lodge dining room

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. 

✓ Be aware of your surroundings. ✓ Hike in groups and stay together.  ✓ Keep kids within sight.  ✓ Keep dogs on a leash or leave them home.  ✓ Make noise on the trails.  ✓ Carry bear spray & know how to use it. ✓ Know what to do in an encounter

 It’s that time of year...winter. The kids are retreating to the comforts and warmth of the indoors but you want them all to go outdoors! If you are searching for a way for your family to connect with nature, have fun and burn off some energy; why not try snowshoeing? It is probably the easiest and cheapest way to have some family winter fun! Here are four things to consider when to introducing your family to the sport:

1) Clothing and Packs
You  will  want  to  dress  everyone  in  layers.  A  good  long underwear base coupled with snow pants and a nice shell is great for starters.  Little ones will generate a lot of heat walking  around,  maybe  even  more  than  you  since  they will  be  putting  in  more  effort.  Finish  the  outfit  with toques,  mittens  and  snow boots.  Remember  that  mittens will  keep  your  little  one’s  hands  warmer  than  gloves  and they  may  need  something  more  waterproof  than  you do as  they  are  more  susceptible  to  falling  and  may  not  be able  to  resist  the  urge  to  make  snowballs.  Everyone should carry a small backpack  with a mid-layer such as a down  jacket  or  a  polar  fleece  for  added  warmth  just  in case  anyone  cools  off or  if  you plan  to  stop  for  a  winter picnic. Even small children can carry their own small nap-sack, be  sure  that the straps are  padded in the  shoulders and that the packs are nice and light. You can also include a  spare  pair  of  gloves,  socks  and  a  neck  warmer  in  your day packs in case anyone gets too wet or cold. Also pack, sun   glasses,   sun   screen,   a   snack   and   some   water, especially if you plan to be out for an extended period.
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2) Snowshoes and Poles
The big question with new sports is always: Should I buy or rent the gear? For the first time you may want to try snowshoe rentals which you can pick up at the Access Callaghan Ski Shop.  Children’s snowshoes are relatively inexpensive considering how long they last. They are  also fairly small and easy to store  and can be  handed down from child to child. See brands such as GV, Atlas, MSR for snowshoes in kids sizes. Snowshoes in this class are often rated  for 30-80 pounds,  after  that,  your  child  will  move  to  adult sizes.  Shoes should  support  your child’s weight while  donning winter clothes and carrying a small pack. They should have an easy to use strap-in-system and have crampons underfoot, to help provide grip on hills and ice. Alpine poles are not necessary,  especially  for  smaller  children,  however  if  you  are  going  for  longer  distances  with  older children,  poles  are  recommended.  They  provide  extra  stability  on  ungroomed  trails,  up-hill  and  when carrying heavier packs. For preteens and teenagers, try adjustable poles that can grow with them.

3) Getting Started
As the saying goes... If you can walk, you can snowshoe. This is especially true for older children and adults, but for smaller children you may want to start off by playing a few games to set them up for success.  Try waddling like a penguin, or making dinosaur tracks to get them walking in a wider stance.  Also practice making U-turns, snowshoes are great for going forwards and sideways, but they can never go backwards. Other fun games to play include classics like Simon Says and Red-Light-Green-Light.  Or you can get really creative and try playing Charades, instead of drawing with paper and pencil; you can have your child draw out different shapes with their tracks. Try easy shapes like circles, hearts and houses to start and have someone else guess what the shape is. Another popular activity with children is a good old fashioned scavenger hunt. For a pre-made printable winter scavenger hunt list click here.

4) Where and When
Location and timing are two of the most important decisions you will make to dictate the level of enjoyment had by all. Try to avoid any bad weather; no one likes being exposed to wind, sleet or rain and this goes double for children. Here on the West Coast one of the most popular reasons to participate in snow sports is to take a break from the rainy city and recharge up in the frosted alpine. You will also want to choose easy hikes to start. A nice introductory snowshoe trail is the Wetland Wanderer which starts right at Callaghan Country's Alexander Falls Touring Centre.  It's a short green (easy) trail and stays close to the base, so you can rest assure that you won’t be very far from your vehicle if things go awry. Once everyone is comfortable with their skills, you can embark on a more challenging winter family adventures! For kids ages 10 and older, get them excited by visiting Alexander Falls!  This is a truly spectacular trail with  a tall frozen waterfall and the end.  ​

​The summer of 1976, two young adventurers were busy scrambling around in the Coast Mountain Range having spent the winter skiing Whistler and now, between contracts for forest fire fighting, busied themselves by bagging peaks. Nic Slater and Brad Sills were childhood friends whose appetite for challenge was just incubating.

We are excited to share that Callaghan Country Wilderness Adventures Ltd. has been acquired by outdoor retailer and lifestyle brand, evo. 
 
For over 40 years now, the Callaghan Crew and several of the original ‘Journeymen’ of Journeyman Lodge have worked tirelessly towards the company vision: ‘to be known as a world-class mountain adventure wilderness destination for cross country skiing, backcountry skiing, telemark skiing, and self-propelled four-season recreation of every kind.’ 
 
The transition in ownership to evo supports the next phase of cultivating this vision and we are confident that these are the winds of change we’ve been preparing for all these years.
 
Brad Sills, Co-Founder & President of CCWA, shares: “It is with mixed feelings that we step aside and allow new energy to once again fuel this project. To all of our most valued customers, Rest assured, I have always admired your enthusiasm for this most challenging product. Witnessing you out on the Upper Valley trails is what kept me going year after year. Thank you so much for appreciating what has been so dear to the Callaghan Team for the last 41 years.”
 
Founder and CEO of evo, Bryce Phillips, says: “I’m personally very grateful to have this opportunity to carry the torch forward as we look to establish Journeyman as a centerpiece for the community in the Sea to Sky and beyond. When I moved to Whistler in 1997, had someone told me that one day we’d be in a position to work with Brad and his team to continue their vision, I would not have believed it.”
 
When it comes to passing the torch, we truly believe that evo shares our vision and we have much respect for both their core values and diversity, equity, and inclusion commitments. Plus, evo is immersed within the Whistler community with five storefront locations throughout the village and also through their financial support of local non-profit organizations and charitable on the ground work.
 
evo will take over operations of Journeyman Lodge on October 5th, 2021. Christian Begin, ski-industry veteran and co-founder of Bella Coola Heli Sports in BC, will serve in the position of General Manager. Brad will work closely with Christian and the evo team in the transition of ownership and operations of Callaghan Country and its legacy, offering his invaluable insights, knowledge, and experience on this next chapter of the CCWA journey. 
 
Learn more and read the press release from evo here.

Mark your calendars for Sunday, September 26th, when Journeyman Lodge welcomes hikers of all ages for a FREE PANCAKE BREAKFAST! Escape to a setting where food is found among the paths we walk, experience mountain camaraderie, and explore nature at its best, while celebrating the history of the huckleberry!

Hike through the Callaghan Valley to Journeyman Lodge picking fresh huckleberries along the way. Once you arrive at Journeyman Lodge, you will deliver your cup of berries to our Lodge Chef who will prepare your huckleberry pancakes. There's nothing more satisfying - and tasty - than eating the (literal) fruits of your labour. 

Please Note: ​COVID-19 Operating Standards in effect. Pancake Brunch and social: In-lodge dining room (physically-distanced) and outdoor patio options available.
 

• Stay home if you have any symptoms, however mild, and get tested if your symptoms are consistent with COVID-19.
  
• Practice physical distancing.
  
• Mask wearing is required in indoor public spaces.
  
• Wash your hands often.

Beginning September 13, proof of vaccination will be required to access discretionary services in British Columbia. Huckleberry Festival qualifies as one of these discretionary services. Full details are available on the Government of British Columbia’s website.

Holiday Season at Callaghan Country: Open every day December 17, 2021 – January  4, 2022   

Yes, we're still navigating our way out of a Pandemic, and Christmas may be the last thing on your mind.  But while there’s still a good selection of availability on our Lodge calendar and, likely, your family’s holiday schedules, here’s a few good reasons to plan ahead and consider including Journeyman Lodge in your Holiday festivities this season…

1.  It’s the perfect Winter Wonderland backdrop.  Picture this: After a satisfying ski into a remote mountain wilderness…a crackling fire in the background as you enjoy your family’s company over appies in our lounge area…you look out into the moonlit mountains of the secluded Solitude Valley, surrounding Journeyman Lodge - it’s pretty much a Christmas card come to life!

2. Get cozy and enjoy quality family time free from the craziness of shopping frenzies and technological distractions.  The luxury of any backcountry experience is that it is a true escape from our everyday lives.  The ‘un-plugged” aspect of Journeyman lodge lends itself to genuine human interaction etching memories of character and warmth.  The holiday season is a unique window when Journeyman Lodge waives its 13-yrs-and-up policy to welcome guests of all ages.  There's even a special discount of 55% off to guests 13 yrs & under for reservations Dec.17-25 & Jan 2-4!  As with all backcountry travel, there are inherent risks involved and they are not to be taken lightly; Please Contact Us >> directly for more information about planning a family adventure to our backcountry lodge.  

3.  Cut your contributions to consumer culture and gift this authentic experience instead of stuff.  This is a gift you can really feel good about giving; the receiving ain’t so bad either!

4.  You pay in advance.  This eases the usual cash flow crunch experienced when  the holidays arrive, plus once you’re here there’s no unexpected costs…our packages are all inclusive so you can enjoy the peace of mind knowing you’re not going to need to run any last minute errands. 

5. Let our team work their charm.  Now this one is a bit of a secret: with the holiday season kicking off our winter calendar, this is the Callaghan Country team’s favourite time to please.  We love seeing our guests enjoy their families and truly connecting so we’re going to be striving extra hard to make the trip special for you!

Callaghan Country is now accepting holiday reservations at Journeyman Lodge.  Bring your family, friends, or come by yourself - we look forward to sharing this special time of the year with you!  The best way to make your reservation is to take a look at our online reservation calendar, book now >>, or call us directly Monday thru Friday from 7am to Noon: 1.604.938.0616 

Every year on the third Friday in May, people around the world participate in Endangered Species Day by celebrating, learning about, and taking action to protect threatened and endangered species. In honour of this initiative, we wanted to highlight one of the many endangered species that lives in the Callaghan Valley and share a few ways you can help protect endangered species.

Introducing the accipiter gentilis laingi, otherwise known as the northern goshawk! Northern goshawks are large hawks (between the size of a raven and a goose) with a typical wingspan of just over one metre. They have a light grey chest and belly and a blue-grey back with prominent white stripes over bright red eyes. Northern goshawks inhabit large areas of old-growth forests. The loss of mature forests throughout the northern goshawk’s range accounts for the primary reason this species of bird is listed as endangered. Fortunately, the Callaghan Valley is home to swathes of protected old-growth coniferous forests, providing northern goshawks with their preferred habitat.

The northern goshawk isn’t the only threatened or of-concern species living in the Callaghan Valley; there are a number of animal and plant species on the Wildlife Species at Risk list, including sage-grouse, American marten, eastern wolves, wolverines, and more.

Want to know how you can help protect and save endangered species in your local area? Here are a few ways you can help:

It's that time of year... when you have to start to think about putting your skis away for the summer. We know, pretty tragic! But we think that to be grateful for how much joy our skis bring us, putting storage wax on your skis for the off-season is a great way to make the most of your ski's lives. 

1. Clean Your Base! 
Classic 
Apply base cleaner with a fiberlene cloth and thoroughly clean to get all the glidewax off the tip and tail. For fish-scale skis, clean them with the same method as the tip and tail to clean all the dirt that may have built up over the season. For waxless skis, scrape off the Klister using wax remover and a cloth to take the stickiness off. You will not be applying glidewax on the kickzone for your classic skis. 
Skate 
Apply base cleaner with the fiberlene cloth over the entire ski, removing any dirt, particles and old wax that may have built up over the year. 

2. Apply the Wax 
The ideal way to apply storage wax, is to use the hot iron to use a warm hot wax all over the ski. Melt your wax over the ski (only the tip and tail for classic skis) at the correct temperature. Then, take your iron over the glidewax and wait until it hardens. You are almost there! 
3. Store in a Safe Place 
There is no need to scrape the glidewax, as this will serve as the protection for your skis while in storage. Either vertically or horizontally, make sure the skis are nice and cozy until you can take them out again. 

If you are interested in doing this process this season, we have all the gear necessary to get your skis nice and protected at Access Callaghan! As a bonus, if you are a seasons pass holder, you can receive 25% off Swix Wax in our store. 

Are you a backcountry buff and love to shred through some awesome pow? Or do you like the crisp, cold, hard snow that makes you glide effortlessly on our Nordic trails? 
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We have created a guide to snow, the ins and outs of each general crystal type and what conditions are needed to form them. As the Callaghan Valley gets some of the the highest snowfall averages in the lower mainland- we think snow is pretty special. The field of snow science is vast, and includes 80 different classifications of snow crystals! We have broadened it to 5 general types but we have linked some more comprehensive guides below. To know more about the wilderness in the Callaghan Valley,  and take a look at our Mountain Monday social media series! 

​These amazing crystals are he types of crystals that occur when hoarfrost is created. Hoar, simply put, is frozen dew. To create surface hoar, the formation of the crystals (as with any type of snow crystals), is dependent on temperature and humidity. Surface hoar occurs with clear, cold (below -5C) and calm weather conditions. The snow reaches very cold temperatures, but radiates a heated layer of air directly above it which is typically about 10C warmer than the surface. The warm buffer of air holds a high amount of water vapour, and the vapour freezes upon contact with the surface of the snow. If the hoar gets buried with fresh snow, it essentially becomes a layer of a very thick blanket sitting on a layer of ice. If something makes that blanket move- down it goes! Although not very nive for our alpine skiers, these crystals create that fast, firm snow that is so nice to get your Nordic skis on. This cold crust on the snow creates a nice glide, while not being so cold that your skin doesn't freeze under the spandex;) 

Capped Columns are a little less common than columns and plates, that have the appearance of an empty spool of thread. These crystals are formed when a crystal travels through multiple temperatures as it falls to the ground. First a column has to form (so around -5C), and then travels through colder temperatures (about -15C) to form plates or dendrites on the end of the column. 

With an apt name, these crystals are so small that they become the sparkling glitter on top of a snowpack on a bluebird day. Diamond dust forms, not from falling from a cloud, but by water vapour that is near to the ground that freezes. The individual water vapour droplets are so small, they form hexagonal plates and form a carpet of tiny prisms on the snowpack, which results in the glitter show on a sunny day. 

We are excited to announce our interactive, month-long Wild About Winter Bingo challenge at Callaghan Country!

During the month of March, we encourage you to visit us in the Callaghan and participate in a range of fun, Callaghan-centric activities filled with adventure and nature immersion. Download your digital Wild About Winter Bingo card below to start planning how you will collect your squares!

We’ve partnered with incredible brands and local businesses, giving you the chance to win some sweet prizes for participating - including a voucher towards a stay at Journeyman Lodge!

Submit your Wild About Winter Bingo activity card before April 1st to be entered in to various prize draws. Submit your completed cards and accompanying photos by email at info@callaghancountry.com or tag @CallaghanCountry and use the hashtag #CCWAbingo to share your photos with us!

Fully completed cards will be entered to win a voucher toward a stay at Journeyman Lodge during the 2021-2022 winter season. Cards completed with a “C” for Callaghan will be entered to win a swag bag featuring gear from our partner sponsors: Arc’teryx, Salomon, Ryders Eyewear, Double Decker Coffee Roasting, Alpine Dogs, Little Pine, and Eagleview Veterinary Hospital. Cards completed with a single line will be entered in to win two free equipment rentals from Access Callaghan!

Prizes must be picked up in person at 1000 Callaghan Valley Road, Whistler during the week of April 4th-12th, 2021.

For questions or more information about our Wild About Winter Bingo challenge, get in touch at info@callaghancountry.com or 604.964.0058

Do you live in the Sea to Sky and are aching for travel and adventure? Or are missing the backcountry huts of pre-COVID  life? Support a local business and stay at a local backcountry lodge, while scratching the itch of travelling to a new place. Check out the full article by our friends at Backcountry Lodges of BC, and you might see a familiar building in the article! 

While Callaghan Country traditionally boasts of our unique shared experiences that 'engage patrons with the original warmth and character of traditional alpine culture', like so many other businesses, we've had to 'pivot' on this point.    Luckily, connections with the natural world still abound when enjoying recreational pursuits in the outdoors, but we'll all have to hold out on the much anticipated story swapping and Apres vibes until safer days.  During these times, there is no longer a ‘shared’ experience inside Journeyman Lodge; rather the focus will shift to intimate solitude in the privacy of your own accommodation…unplugging to reconnect. For that reason, this is the season we're advising all our guests to Bring a good book! 

The staff here at Callaghan Country have curated a list of books for winter 2021 that resonate with our mountain loving interests and values.  They inspire new connections with the wilderness, offer fresh insights and approaches to live life to the full!  We specifically selected each of these reads as they relay stories of resilience, compelling perspectives, and offer some new tips and ideas for your own adventures this year. 

And the Staff Picks are...

Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge, and the Teaching of Plants - Robin Wall Kimmerer 
A perfect read for the nature lover!  This book aligns the methodologies, values, and findings of empirical science with those of Indigenous traditional knowledge systems for a deeper understanding of the world around us and our relationship with it.  Reverence abounds in Robin Wall Kimmerer's writing that is both uplifting and grounding; an ideal read for these strange times. 

Autonomy, Mastery and Purpose in the Avalanche Patch- Bruce Kay
Wanting to learn more about your decisions that you make when you're skiing in the backcountry? Bruce Kay delves into avalanche safety and techniques, but also the psychology behind risk taking and making decisions when in avalanche territory. 

The Overstory- Richard Powers
Awarded for the Pulitzer Prize for fiction, Powers tells the stories of five different families using five species of North American trees as the central characters. He addresses the issues of deforestation and protecting our forests as they entangle with our daily lives. 

Honouring High Places- The Mountain Life of Junko Tabei- Junko Tabei, Helen Y. Rolfe, Yumike Hiraki, and Rieko Holtved
Using the memoir and storied of mountaineer Junko Tabei, this English translation collects memories of the first woman to climb Mount Everest and the Seven Summits. Tabei's stories reflect the difficulties of being a female climber with a passion for mountains, her experience in Japan after World War II, and her death in 2016. 

Welcome to the Goddamn Ice Cube: Chasing Fear and Finding Home in the Great White North- Blair Braverman
Braverman commits her life to independence and fearlessness in the arctic. She faces death and survival in her daily life, and describes her strategies to face the risk and fear of living in a place that has the capacity to end your life. 

We'd love to hear your book recommendations for the season!  Please feel welcome to add yours in the comments below...

​Gift Certificates
Craving the alpine, or know someone who is? We have gift certificates for you! 
Gift certificates for The Journeyman Lodge are available online or can be purchased in person at the Alexander Falls Touring Centre. The certificates are redeemable at any time, even for future seasons! Give the gift experience and deep powder to your wilderness loving friends and family. More Details Here>> 

Not in the mood for a trip up the valley? Just come for the day! 'Any day tickets' are also available for day passes at Ski Callaghan, accessing over 90km of beautifully groomed Nordic ski trails. These can be redeemed any time during the 2020-21 season. Give us a call at 604.964.0058 for more details. ​
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Stocking Stuffers
We have everything you need to finish off your stockings that need a final top-up! Come to Access Callaghan Ski Shop, and grab some Journeyman t-shirts, wax and waxing supplies, gloves and ski apparel. Bonus: if you have a seasons pass, you are eligible for 25% off gloves, 20% off wax and 15% off select merchandise and apparel from the store! Give us a call at 604.964.0058 for more details. 
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From our Alexander Falls Touring Centre, Nordic skiers can venture with their dogs on Mainline and Real Life towards Callaghan Lake or reach Porter's Glide and other dog-friendly trails via Wetland Wanderer.  Snowshoers can take their dogs on Real Life, Finger Lakes and down to Alexander Falls or reach Marley's Meander via Wetland Wanderer.  Light ski tourers are guaranteed tranquility by heading up Mainline and going off the beaten path on Into Woods and reaching Woods Lake; one of less-visited lake in the area.

If you need to rent equipment, our Access Callaghan Shop is conveniently located at our Alexander Falls Base and gives you access to all of Ski Callaghan dog-friendly trails, no need to move your car!  Bring your lunch & thermos for a winter picnic outside or in our warming hut or sit by the bonfire and roast S'mores & wieners.

Alongside the curation of personal learning inquiries and immersive experiences bringing participants deeper into themselves, XCamp facilitators are proud to offer a heart-centred approach to their camp delivery.  The intimate size and unplugged nature of Journeyman Lodge as a venue provides a perfect setting for unfettered connection.  Each professional has a unique opportunity to be fully present in an active and relational learning process with camp-goers. ​