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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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".
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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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