Mountain Escapes | A Backcountry Podcast

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Mountain Escapes is a podcast that aims to connect backcountry enthusiasts with the owners and operators of BLBCA member lodges throughout BC, Canada. In each episode we highlight a unique lodge through conversation with an owner. We will also feature guest appearances by other influential backcountry enthusiasts and industry experts. Your host, Brad Harrison, has worked and adventured in remote settings most of his life. He’s owned and operated lodges, operated mountaineering camps and provided avalanche courses. He is the Executive Director of the Backcountry Lodges of BC Association.

Mountain Escapes | A Backcountry Podcast


    • Dec 19, 2023 LATEST EPISODE
    • infrequent NEW EPISODES
    • 25m AVG DURATION
    • 15 EPISODES


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    Latest episodes from Mountain Escapes | A Backcountry Podcast

    Mountain Escapes | Episode 15 - Brad Harrison (Colwest Alpine)

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 19, 2023 25:57


    The BLBCA welcomes you back to another episode of Mountain Escapes. In this episode, we turn the tables on our regular host. Jeff Bolt, our regular producer, puts Brad in the hot seat. Brad has extensive experience in the adventure tourism industry. He started in Kootenay Valley with his Dad who was a horsepacker. Brad ran the Alpine Club of Canada's GMCs, and was part-owner of Golden Alpine Holidays, both for over 25 years. He is the Executive Director of the BLBCA and owner/operator of Colwest Alpine Adventures. Listen in to the many stories and insights he has to share.

    Mountain Escapes | Episode 14 - Tyax Adventures

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 18, 2023 16:01


    The BLBCA welcomes you back to another episode of Mountain Escapes. In this episode, we are pleased to have a chance to chat with Bobbie Douglas, manager of Tyax Adventures, located in the Southern Chilcotin Mountains near Goldbridge, BC. Bobbie shares insights into growing up in this amazing backcountry environment. This is where they put the "mountain" in mountain biking. Be sure to check it out.

    Mountain Escapes | Episode 13 - Burnie Glacier Chalet

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 7, 2023 20:42


    The BLBCA welcomes you back to another episode of Mountain Escapes. In this episode, Brad chats with Christoph Dietzfelbinger, owner/operator/guide of the Burnie Glacier Chalet, located in the Coast Mountains near Smithers, BC. Often with humorous anecdotes, Christoph provides a revealing glimpse into the challenges and benefits of operating a backcountry lodge "up north". Don't miss it.

    Mountain Escapes | Episode 12 - Battle Abbey

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 31, 2023 19:43


    The BLBCA welcomes you back to another episode of Mountain Escapes. In this episode Brad chats with Roger Laurilla, owner/operator/guide of Battle Abbey, located in the Selkirk Mountains, SW of Golden, BC. This BLBCA member lodge is steeped in history, the founders were none other than Hans Gmoser and Bill Putnam. Roger does a wonderful job communicating how remote and spectacular Battle Abbey really is.

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    Mountain Escapes | Episode 11 - Ice Creek Lodge

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 2, 2022 24:25


    The BLBCA welcomes you back to another episode of Mountain Escapes. In this episode Brad chats with Russell and Courtney Hulbert, owners/operators/guides of Ice Creek Lodge, located in the Valhalla Mountains, near Slocan in BC's West Kootenay region. Ice Creek Lodge really meets the "comfortable adventure" expectation, with a reliable snowpack in a beautiful high alpine setting. Find out why operating Ice Creek Lodge truly is a "family affair".

    Mountain Escapes | Episode 10 - Walt Judas, TIABC

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 27, 2022 28:38


    Your host and backcountry veteran Brad Harrison is privileged to have an opportunity to chat with Walt Judas, Executive Director of the Tourism Industry Association of BC. Walt is one of the most influential people on the industry side of tourism in our province. We strongly recommend listening to this episode if you are involved in tourism in any fashion, be it a frontline employee, sector representative, club member, government staff, educator, owner/operator, marketer or just enjoy the many opportunities that tourism in BC presents. Make sure you catch Walt's insightful answers to some challenging questions.

    Mountain Escapes | Episode 09 - Sol Mountain Lodge

    Play Episode Listen Later May 10, 2022 27:18


    The BLBCA welcomes you back to another episode of Mountain Escapes. In this episode Brad chats with Sabine and Aaron Cooperman, owners/operators/guides of Sol Mountain Lodge, located in the Monashee Mountains, south of Revelstoke, BC. Sol Mountain Lodge is an amazingly comfortable facility, situated in big snow country and is definitely family-friendly. The Cooperman's young adult children, Josee & Seth are actively involved in the day-to-day operation. Don't miss it.

    Mountain Escapes | Episode 08 - Diana Lake Lodge

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 4, 2022 26:22


    The Backcountry Lodges of BC Association (BLBCA) Mountain Escapes Podcast with backcountry veteran Brad Harrison is back! In this episode, Brad chats with the owners/operators of Diana Lake Lodge, Pat Comer and Mike Bourns. Diana Lake Lodge is perched high in the Canadian Rockies, east of Spillimacheen in British Columbia's East Kootenay region. Being relatively new to the BLBCA and the backcountry lodge business, Mike and Pat bring a very interesting perspective to lodge life. Check it out when you have a minute.

    Mountain Escapes | Episode 07 - BC AdventureSmart

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 1, 2022 20:19


    The Backcountry Lodges of BC Association (BLBCA) Mountain Escapes Podcast with backcountry veteran Brad Harrison is back! In this episode, Brad talks to the executive director of BC's AdventureSmart program, Sandra Riches. This is your chance to hear about the challenges, successes and nuances of running an information program for travellers venturing into some of the most demanding backcountry terrain in the world. Sandra also provides a number of travel tips for the BC adventurer. Hope you have time to listen in.

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    Mountain Escapes | Episode 06 - Mt. Assiniboine Lodge

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 1, 2022 29:35


    The Backcountry Lodges of BC Association (BLBCA) Mountain Escapes Podcast with backcountry veteran Brad Harrison is back! In this episode, Brad talks to the owners/operators/guides of Mt. Assiniboine Lodge, Andre Renner and Claude Duchesne. To say that Mt. Assiniboine is both iconic and historic would be a major understatement. In many ways Mt. Assiniboine is the cradle of mountaineering, skiing and backcountry travel in the Canadian Rockies. Andre and Claude will provide us with a glimpse into Mt. Assiniboine Lodge both now and back then, way back then. We will hear stories about legendary characters such as Lizzie Rommel, Erling Strom and Andre's father, Sepp Renner. Thanks for tuning in.

    Mountain Escapes | Episode 05 - Blanket Glacier Chalet

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 18, 2022 32:37


    The Backcountry Lodges of BC Association (BLBCA) Mountain Escapes Podcast with backcountry veteran Brad Harrison is back! In this episode, Brad talks to owner-operator-guide Marty Schaffer of Blanket Glacier Chalet in the Monashee Mountains south of Revelstoke. Lots of family history in this episode outlining how Marty and his sister Heidi grew up in this amazing environment.

    Mountain Escapes | Episode 04 - Callaghan Country's Journeyman Lodge

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 23, 2021 34:20


    The Backcountry Lodges of BC Association (BLBCA) Mountain Escapes Podcast with backcountry veteran Brad Harrison returns! In this episode, Brad sits down with Whistler Search & Rescue Manager Brad Sills of Callaghan Countries Journeyman Lodge. Learn more about the history of the lodge and the area through Brad's 40-plus years of experience. In addition to that, you'll hear an early story of the snow cat journey to the lodge that you'll never forget.

    Mountain Escapes | Episode 03 - Whitecap Alpine

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 20, 2021 33:20


    Your host and backcountry veteran Brad Harrison is back! In this episode, he sits down with father and son team Ron and Lars Andrews owner/operators of Whitecap Alpine Adventure. This is a historic and wonderful facility located in an amazing setting well-situated for both winter and summer backcountry adventures Be sure to stay tuned for My Best Backcountry Story (29:40), in this weeks episode we hear from Alex from Assiniboine Lodge, sharing his story about discovering more nature than he expected while touring a group of women through the alpine one summer.

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    Mountain Escapes | Episode 02 - Talus Lodge

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 1, 2021 23:37


    The BLBCA welcomes you back to another episode of Mountain Escapes. In this episode, Brad sits down with Thomas Grandi and Sara Renner owner/operators of Talus Lodge. They were both Olympians and World Cup skiing multi-medalists before taking over Talus Lodge. Recounting those experiences as well their joy in raising a young family in BC's backcountry highlight this podcast. Be sure to check it out.

    Mountain Escapes | Episode 01 - Valhalla Mountain Touring

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 15, 2021 23:01


    Your host and backcountry veteran Brad Harrison, sits down with Jasmin Caton of Valhalla Mountain Touring, located near New Denver, BC. Be sure to stay tuned for My Best Backcountry Story (20:06), this week on the pod we hear from Lynea Nielsen from Salmon Arm, BC, about her first solo lodge experience!

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