​We're excited to announce the launch of  our new Fireside Speaker's Series: 'Tales from the Callaghan'.  Designed to promote a sense of place and connect our community of 'Callaghan Country fans', each month we will host a special guest speaker for a casual apres-ski chat at our trailside bonfire next to the Alexander Falls Touring Centre.  

All are welcome!  Top-off a great day of Nordic play and join us at 1:00pm. Topics will pertain to the unique ecology, topography,  and history of the Callaghan Valley. 

The series began with the opening topic 'A Backcountry Dream is Born!' Callaghan Country's President, Brad Sills, and local ACMG Guide, Dave Sarkany.  Next up is scheduled for Saturday, February 2nd.   We will dive into the 'Ongoing search for the 'T-33 Silver Star'.  Brad, and local retired  RCMP Staff Sgt., Steve LeClair, will discuss a series of clues found in the Callaghan Valley prompting continued efforts to solve the great mystery and ample folklore!

​As a society, we have never been more time-starved and over-stimulated so the need to slow down, unplug and reconnect is more important than ever. Throw in an ever-looming threat of climate change and it only makes sense that more and more backcountry enthusiasts are opting to “Earn their turns” and overall self-propelled recreation is on the rise.  We ache for freedom, and the wilderness calls.

Callaghan Country's Journeyman Lodge was built on sweat equity and a belief in the inherent value of exploring the world beyond lift dependency. There are no free rides to the top and no one to hand-hold you through another cookie-cutter backcountry experience. In these mountains, you’re on your own, and you’re better off because of it.  An infamous Eleanor Roosevelt quote resonates..."With freedom comes responsibility."  Wilderness exploration does require certain capacities and skill sets. We're excited to announce that Callaghan Country has some early season Skills Clinics to build that toolkit!

We're excited to announce a NEW immersive experience in the epic backcountry terrain of Callaghan Country.  Renowned adventure sports photographers, Ryan Kenny & Guy Fattal, have organized a unique opportunity to learn some specialized 'tricks of the trade' for budding outdoor photographers.  Move fast, spots are limited!  

Ryan and Guy are keen to connect with interested participants to make sure this workshop would be the right fit for them.  In the meantime, we had a chance to ask a few questions about the upcoming clinic...

Q1.  Who is this workshop for?
A1.  The workshop is for any photographer that has always wanted to experience the backcountry and capture adventure like we do.

Q2.  How long have you and Guy been taking photos?
A2.  Guy and I (Ryan) have been taking photos for over 15 years.

Q3.  When did you realize you could make a career out of it?
A3.  I realized I could make a career out of it when my passion outweighed my doubts about going to a freelance lifestyle.

Q4.  What's the most common mistake you see among 'rookie' photographers?
A4.  The most common mistake among rookie photographers is not being present in the moment that you're trying to capture. sounds a bit cheezy but truth be told now in a digital age it seems a bit harder to take ones time.

Q5.  What's the foremost takeaway from this workshop that you would hope for participants?
A5.  We want people to take away an experience of a lifetime. We want to share techniques and information but also help them develop their own style. Through the art of storytelling and seeking adventure we hope to offer a workshop that leaves them as inspired as we are.

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.