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 

Mark your calendars for Sunday, September 22nd, 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.

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. ​

​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!

Our team has been working tirelessly to prepare our Nordic trail network for a pleasing opening to the 201819 winter season and it looks like Ullr is finally delivering some much needed snow over the next couple weeks.  We'll say it again, finally!!!!!  The wait has been S(no)w joke.

Join the Callaghan Country crew for our opening weekend as we kick-off the 2018/19 ski season with some goofy fun and special praise for Ullr!

FREE admission for those dressed in viking attire!

Ullr (pronounced Oool-er) stems from Norse mythology, where he was revered as the god of winter. Like us, Ullr loves the cold and especially travelling over Northern forest terrain on skis. This dude deserves our respect, so we’re going to spirit our winter patronage with some festive viking attire and an annual snow-dance around the Callaghan Country Bonfire Cauldron. This is located at the 1st entrance to Ski Callaghan (left over the bridge 8.5km up Callaghan Valley Rd).

Festivities begin at 2pm.  Please feel welcome to bring your hotdogs and or marshmallows for roasting.

It isn't a surprise that Scandinavian cultures are recognized for their concepts of Hygge and Friluftsliv; they offer the essential foundation for any good family tradition.  Cultivating your own meaningful family traditions can have numerous positive outcomes: providing a source of identity, strengthening the family bond, offering comfort & security, connecting generations, all the while creating lasting memories.  

This winter we welcome you to our backyard, where guests of all ages can have fun playing & laughing together in the natural world.  Whether you're coming to XC Ski or Snowshoe, our rustic, yet comfortable facilities inspire nostalgia of times past...when family time didn't compete with technologies, and memories were built around traditions of human connection. 

​As you come together for the annual Thanksgiving holidays, we invite you to consider starting some new family traditions in the Callaghan...

Cross country skiing and snowshoeing are great winter activities for families to enjoy together. You'll quickly discover it's more affordable and easier to get into than alpine skiing. Bring the wee ones and comfortably tuck them in for a ride in a Ski Chariot (available for rent at Access Callaghan Ski Shop).  Kids can start Nordic skiing as early as 4 or 5.  ​Trail tickets & Passes here are FREE FOR CHILDREN AGES 6 & UNDER.  It's great exercise, gets you out in the great outdoors, and offers ample opportunity to build genuine family bonds!  Get a full Nordic Season Pass at the best rate available before October 8, 2018​...To purchase the Family Season Passes, please call: 604.964.0059

At the end of your family day in the Callaghan, kick back & toast some marshmallows by the trailside bonfire or cozy up next the fireplace in our rustic warming hut.  It's the perfect setting to swap stories and share in the pride of developing your skills in the outdoors.

For intrepid families ready for the full mountain adventure experience, Callaghan Country has set aside select dates when Journeyman Lodge waives its 13-yrs-and-up policy to welcome guests of all ages.  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.

Holiday Season: December 21st – January 8th ***We are pleased to honour 55% OFF to guests 13 yrs & under for reservations Dec.21-26 & Jan 6-8***
BC Family Weekend: February 15th-19th

We highly recommend attending one of the upcoming Ski Swaps.  Not only will you find deals on gear, this is typically a great opportunity for local clubs to feature their programs and courses as well...​

​Snow has melted, bugs are beginning to fade, and nature's colour palette is emerging in full vibrancy.  It's finally here! The seasonal transformation of the Callaghan Valley is as dramatic as the landscape itself.  This season, we are keen to share this special place in its prime summer abundance by opening the doors of Journeyman Lodge to hikers from September 8th - 23rd.

This will be a special time to meet some of the actual 'Journeymen' of 'Journeyman Lodge'...they carry the passion and the vision that has propelled Callaghan Country forward all these years, so go ahead and ask them for those stories!   ​

The primary summer access route to Journeyman Lodge is a hike-in from Callaghan Lake Provincial Park.  During the late summer and early autumn months, Callaghan Lake is accessible by high clearance two wheel drive vehicle (driver's discretion advised). You can park your vehicle and follow a well defined hiking trail leading west from the BC Parks campsite for 4.5 kilometres. to the lodge. The trail is signed and climbs gently through a variety of West Coast forest types. The elevation gain is 150 metre elevation over 4.5 kilometres. Please allow about two hours (one way) from the trailhead to the lodge.   ​By day, trek and explore the spectacular surroundings of Callaghan Country.  By night, enjoy a family style meal, chatting with fellow guests, the warmth of a log-fire, and a good night’s sleep.

Alexander Falls Touring Centre is proud to be the most dog friendly zone in the Callaghan, with access to over 27 kms of dog-friendly cross-country ski trails plus over 17 kms of dog-friendly snowshoe trails both on and off-leash!

On Saturday, March 10th, 2018:

• Dogs ski and snowshoe free!*
• The first 50 dogs through the gates receive a doggie bag of tasty treats and deals.
• Several lucky doggie bags will have grand prizes valued at up to $125!
• Support WAG the Whistler Animal Shelter, by bringing a donation of any of the following:

    Bulky Stick Dog chews,
    -Cans of tuna fish
    -Dog and cat treats
    -Dog toys - squeakies, stuffies, bones, balls, etc.
    -Stuffed dog bones
    -Financial donations - can be made online

Celebrate BC Family Day at Callaghan Country and get 50% off cross country skiing trail tickets and snowshoe trail tickets on February 12, 2018!   

Come join us at the Alexander Falls Touring Centre on Feb. 12 for a day of FUN!  We will have Cheeses Crust Food Truck, Salomon Demo Days and the Fire Pit going for your enjoyment.  Bring your own marshmallows, hot dogs and your own fire pit sticks.  Read on for some helpful tips to engage your family in the great outdoors!

 ​The notion that children these days just aren’t getting enough outdoor exploration time is pretty well known. I mean, why would you go build a treehouse or bask in the beautiful, natural sunlight offered by a meadow after exploring a forest filled with intriguing plants, animals and sounds? The bright, artificial lights of electronic device screens and droning internet videos are just too enticing, right? Hmmm…. If you’re looking to break this trend and engage your kids in the outdoors this Spring Break, then read on!

The advantages of getting your kid into the great outdoors and connecting with nature have some obvious (and less obvious) benefits. As ahaparenting.com explain, fresh air and exercise will nurture ‘not only their bodies but their connection to all of life – and to each other’ with benefits including calmer, happier & healthier children who are better students, more creative and (here’s the less obvious benefit) have better vision!
​
So, you know you should get your child outdoors but, once there, how do you engage them in it? This article by the Washington Post has some great suggestions:
​
1 – Inspire curiosity by being curious yourself
2 – Simply be in nature with no other distractions
3 – Limit electronic devices while commuting (encourage looking out the window at the clouds or trees)
4 – Seek out natural, untouched spaces and return often to them (to see how they change with the seasons)
5 – Make time for unstructured outdoor play
6 – Stop thinking about nature time as leisure time (think of it as an essential investment in your child’s health)
7 – Read about nature with your child
8 - Plant a small garden (to teach about food and the wonders of growth)

Or, as the ahaparenting.com blog suggests, take them on a nature walk or a scavenger hunt! Sounds fun, right? How about making that experience even more epic by throwing in some snow and a winter wonderland?

Here at Callaghan Country, we have developed a neat little snowshoe scavenger hunt on our Treasure Trail to help engage kids in nature this Spring Break (& we’ll be running it for the rest of the winter season too!). Just pop into the Alexander Falls Touring Base front desk and pick up a free Scavenger Hunt question sheet, grab some snowshoes from our rental shop and head out onto the Treasure Trail with your youths! As you meander through our snowy forest wonderland, gazing at the curious looking lichen or investigating mysterious animal tracks in the snow, you will find a series of fun facts about our local flora, fauna and other intriguing tidbits such as the evolution of snowshoeing (have you heard of the historical Battle on Snowshoes? Find out about it on our Scavenger Hunt…!). Successfully complete the Scavenger Hunt using these fun facts and you’ll receive a tasty little prize! Now, if that's not incentive to get out and into nature, then i'm not sure what is!

For those who aren't already aware, Callaghan Country was originally incorporated in 1982 as Mad River Nordic Ski Enterprises Inc. with the purpose of developing and operating a comprehensive Nordic Centre focusing on commercial backcountry recreation.  This marked the 1st phase of the Sills 'family adventure'; an exciting dream that would develop into a lifelong investment of time, blood, sweat, and tears (side-note: although likely, tears have never been officially witnessed outside of the family circle...the family's pretty good at 'playing it cool'). 

Little did Brad's wife 'Pixie' know, she was about to adopt her first child, the adorable yet high-maintenance baby called 'Callaghan Country'.  Sons 'Nicholas' and 'Patrick' followed shortly thereafter.  They too would fall in love with Callaghan Country and share their childhoods with a seed that required intense cultivation.  Like most parents, Brad and Pixie worked tirelessly to provide for their family.  The boys received sustenance, love and attention, while Callaghan Country received trail development, the build of a deluxe wilderness lodge, and a variety of quirky snow machines.  None of it could have been pulled off without the genuine support of kindness and action from family friends.  Future's unseen, the Sills family raised their young ones with servitude and devotion.

At about the same time that Nick and Patty were tuning into Spice Girls, Callaghan Country was catching glances from the bid team for the 2010 Winter Olympic Games.  That's right, an Olympic hopeful!  Brad saw the potential in his bambino and pursued numerous presentations to boast of Callaghan Country's weather and terrain to technical delegates, planners, and IOC representatives.  Ultimately, the effort proved fruitful, helping capture the domestic candidature requirement for Vancouver to bid internationally in 2003.  

Prior to Callaghan Country's world debut in 2010, the Sills family endured some pretty cliche years with an adolescent.  It was a roller coaster ride of constant challenges and changes.  Needless to say, Nick and Patty thought Callaghan Country was pretty cool, even when they were recruited for ad hoc snow shoveling, housekeeping, and wood chopping.  Many of their best ski days were with Callaghan Country...everything is forgivable with that kind of bonding.  Brad and Pixie remained concerned.  As the boys matured and grew ready to leave the nest, Callaghan Country required labour and attention 7 days a week...day-in, day-out.

A strong family stays on course.  They ride out the disappointments, questionable relationships, and major life decisions together.  When it comes to a family business, tedious and outright dangerous tasks are a labour of love.  For members of the Sills family that translates as: cleaning outhouses, shoveling tonnes of snow (quite literally), digging out snowmobiles, chopping wood, dish-washing, housekeeping, battling pine martens (we're talking gansta style turf wars), snowplowing parking lots, propane runs, food transport, balancing on a steep roof while clearing snow, cutting sturdy steps out of meticulously packed snow, saving the day, gassing up snowmobiles, troubleshooting fickle snowcats, organizing art work, laundering linens, mending sheets, welcoming guests, managing a rental shop...these duties are just the tip of the ice berg.  At times, the labour can make the love murky. 

Without avail, one of Callaghan Country's friends (these come in the form of a happy guest, skier, or snowshoer) will make a remark that clears the fog... "Best. Day. Ever."  Maybe a purpose is being realized?  Feedback is the grounding factor that helps bring Callaghan Country back home.  It was the initial intent 'To share our passion for the mountain adventure experience and inspire in our guests and staff a desire to live their lives more fully each day', that started this adventure in the first place.

As the years progress it seems Callaghan Country is coming ever closer to maturity and autonomous resilience.  Looking forward, the family hopes that Callaghan Country will finally manifest it's 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.'  Time will tell.

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:

• 8:00am suggested arrival at the Callaghan Lake parking area and trailhead 
• 8:30am join our special guest ethnobotanist, Bryce, from the Forager Foundation to learn about some of the edible and not so edible flora as we hike into Journeyman Lodge
• 9:00am-Noon Pancake Brunch in the lodge dining room
• Afternoon Tea Tasting in the lodge dining room

• 1:00pm Yoga in the meadow with Josee (please bring your own yoga mats)
• 1:30pm Pie-creations in the lodge dining room

• 2:00pm Interpretive hike around Conflict Lake and back to parking area

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.