Episodes
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...
Published 12/19/23
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.
Published 10/18/23
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.
Published 09/07/23
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.
Published 01/31/23
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". 
Published 11/02/22
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...
Published 07/27/22
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.
Published 05/10/22
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...
Published 04/04/22
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...
Published 03/01/22
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...
Published 02/01/22
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. 
Published 01/18/22
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.
Published 12/23/21
Your host and backcountry veteran Brad Harrison is back!  In this episode, he sits down with father and son team Ron and Lars Andrews of Whitecap Alpine Adventure, accessed through Pemberton, BC. 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.
Published 10/20/21
Your host and backcountry veteran Brad Harrison, sits down with Thomas Grandi and Sara Renner of Talus Lodge, accessed through Canmore, AB. Be sure to stay tuned for My Best Backcountry Story (28:40), this week on the pod we hear from Rick of Kamloops, BC, sharing his story about taking in the spectacular colours of the Esplanade Range in late summer.
Published 10/01/21
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!
Published 09/15/21