Callaghan Country is located near the Whistler Olympic Park, and is home to a true winter backcountry experience.
Whether you want cross-country skiing on groomed trail, downhill turns in deep powder, snowshoeing trails, or just a relaxing stay by the fire inside a comfy full-service chalet, Callaghan Country has you covered.
Staying at the Journeyman Lodge
Built in 1980 and tucked away 14 km from the nearest road, the Journeyman Lodge provides a luxury backcountry experience. The lodge has 8 private rooms which can hold up to 24 guests. There is a power generator, running water, in-suite bathrooms and plenty of amenities and activities to keep you busy.
During the day you can explore 12,000 hectares of alpine terrain by ski, snowboard or snowshoe. You can go with your own group, or pre-arrange a guided tour. Afterwards, you are able to unwind and relax by the fire inside the lodge while enjoying some apres-ski snacks.
Best of all, there is a wood-fired Scandinavian sauna which sits atop a nearby creek, lit by candlelight. Once you’ve had a chance to unwind at the end of the day, a 4-course, deluxe dinner is prepared for guests which puts the perfect cap on an eventful day.
In the evening you can relax further by the fire with a book from the library, or play billiards or board games in the lounge.
To make the most of the experience, it’s best to stay at least two nights so you can get a full day to explore the area around the lodge. On the day of your departure, a lunch is packed for you to take on the trek back down to the city.
Getting to the Journeyman Lodge
Getting to the Journeyman Lodge is, well, a journey. It’s as scenic 13.4 km ski or snowshoe in to the lodge on a wide, groomed trail through the forest. For the experienced skate or classic skier, the distance (and 560 m of elevation gain) can be done in about 90 minutes. For the first-time cross country skier, it is very doable, but normally takes about 4 – 5 hours. “Along the way, skiers will enjoy amazing views of Metal Dome, Brandywine and Powder Mountains. Once you reach the lake you can continue on to the lodge via the forested Parkway trail, a Green Circle rated 1.8 km ski to the final climb of Upper Wild Spirit trail (3.2km). The return trip from the Lodge following this route affords skiers a fantastic view of Black Tusk, a volcanic spire that has become one of Whistler’s most famous landmarks.”
You’ll reach the Journeyman Lodge with tired legs and a sense of accomplishment. At the lodge, you are greeted by hosts whose mission is to make your stay as comfortable as it can possibly be. Entering the lodge, you are immediately able to warm up with coffee and tea.
Your luggage is transferred by snowmobile so you don’t need to worry about packing light.
And for those who don’t want to take the self-propelled option to reach the lodge, arrangements can be made to be brought in by snowmobile. Or, if you really want to live large, it’s possible to take a helicopter from Whistler village.
Summary
A stay at Journeyman Lodge is one where you are able to just relax and enjoy yourself. Everything is all-inclusive meaning that the only thing that you need to worry about is what to do next. There is so much terrain that you will be spoiled for choice. To top it all off, you can dine on fantastic meals that are cooked to perfection.
It is your holiday and you can truly do what you want to. If you want to relax and not do anything, you are more than welcome to remain in and around the lodge and are able to enjoy the many features that are available. You may choose to have a holiday where there is a mixture of relaxing and activities. Whatever you choose, you can decide on what you want out of your stay.
It’s also worth noting that the Journeyman Lodge is also a great summer destination. Mountaineering, horse riding and hiking can be enjoyed when the white stuff has melted away. There are also lunch options for those wishing to make a day-trip ski up to the lodge.
Get rates and further details on the Callaghan Country website.
