-
Can I secure my spot by placing a deposit?
Yes, you can book your spot by placing a $750 per person deposit. To place this deposit, please call into evo customer care at 1-866-386-1590 to book. Full payment will be due at least 60 days before trip departure.
-
Is my departure guaranteed?
No, as the trip requires a minimum number of guests in order to run, please wait to make travel arrangements and book flights until you have received confirmation from evoTrip that your departure has been confirmed.
-
What ability level do I need to be and what is the terrain like?
Surrounded by peaks and glaciers, Callaghan Lodge is an ideal venue for backcountry ski touring (also known as alpine ski touring, randonnée skiing, ski mountaineering, backcountry skiing, and ski hiking). The area features an incredible variety of terrain including high alpine bowls, glaciers, glades, pillow drops and gently rolling hills. To be enjoyed to the fullest, guests should be of intermediate skiing ability or better, have a fitness level that allows them to actively ski for at least 4 hours per day, and be capable of handling the challenges of ascending and descending in a variety of snow conditions. It is helpful to have some previous experience skiing powder. No previous backcountry experience or AST/AIARE certification is required, though previous experience and/or certification will certainly be useful. Rest assured you’ll be placed in a touring group that suits your ability level. You can rent or buy many backcountry gear items at evo Backcountry in Whistler Village. Please know that backcountry ski touring is not without risk.
-
How do I meet up with the group?
You will be sent more detailed instructions for meeting with the group after booking. The meeting place will be the Callaghan Country staging area. To get there from Whistler: From Whistler, head south-west on Highway 99 towards Vancouver. Approximately 13km (8 miles) from Whistler Village, turn right off Highway 99 onto the Callaghan Valley Access Road. Follow the main route for about 8.5 km. Immediately before the entrance to Whistler Olympic Park, you will see our banner on your left. Turn left, cross over a bridge and follow the signs into our base facility.
-
What is the maximum number of guests on each trip?
Our capacity on this trip is 12 guests.
-
What are the accommodations like?
The 2nd floor of the lodge houses suite style room. These suites can be upgraded to for an additional cost if desired, on a first come first served basis, based on double occupancy. Single rooms are available to book, pricing details in separate FAQ.
The Solitude Suite is a spacious corner suite features a bedroom (with a queen bed), en-suite bathroom, private living room (with pull-out sofa), cozy gas fireplace, and a large private balcony. The views from the suite span the Solitude Glacier and Mount Callaghan highlighting the breathtaking backdrop that is “Callaghan Country”. The Solitude Suite can be booked for up to 4 guests. The cost to upgrade to this suite is $210 per a person (double occupancy required for this rate) for the duration of the trip. This supplement fee can be waived if you have a party of 3 or 4 who would like to occupy this suite.
There are two Superior Suites on the 2nd floor as well. Considered ‘hotel-style’ suites, each Superior Suite features a comfortable queen bed, an en-suite bathroom and private balcony. These suites can be upgraded into for an additional $100 per a person (double occupancy required for this rate) for the duration of the trip.
The 3rd floor of the lodge is patterned on a Scandinavian design, featuring a few simple, yet comfortable and private sleeping quarters for single or double occupancy. All guests accommodated in these rooms share a walk-out balcony and common area, two bathrooms and a shower room (found down the hall). The room types available are categorized as “standard” or “nook”. (Please note, nook rooms do not have windows but do have an air vent).
Please visit https://www.callaghancountry.com/suites-and-rooms.html to see details on room types.
-
How will rooms be assigned?
Rooms will be assigned on a first-come first served basis. Rooms with 2 separate beds are limited and are subject to availability at time of booking. Standard rooms will be issued first, followed by sleeping nooks. Suite style rooms can be booked with an additional fee, on a first come first served basis. If you would like to know the current availability of rooms prior to booking, please email
[email protected] and we will be happy to help you.
-
What if I am a solo traveler?
Please note if you are a solo traveler, rooms with 2 separate beds are limited. If you are open to rooming with another solo traveler, note that at the time of booking. If you prefer a single room, that can be arranged for an additional fee (see below).
-
Are single rooms available, and what is the upgrade cost?
Single rooms upgrades are available on a first come first served basis, and are available to purchase at the time of booking by selecting the date and room option at the top of the page. Additional supplement fee pricing for a single room is as follows:
Queen Nook single: $480 supplement fee.
Queen Standard single: $510 supplement fee.
Superior Suite single: $685 supplement fee.
Solitude Suite single: $900 supplement fee.
-
What if I'm a solo traveler who wants a roommate but none are available?
We will do our best to pair solo travelers of the same gender together in a room with two beds. If no roommates are available, or all rooms with separate beds are full, solo travelers will be "forced" into a single room. You will be asked to pay 50% of the single supplement to cover the cost of your room. In this case, as the single supplement varies between room types, cost will vary. Please note roommates are paired on a first come, first served basis, so the earlier you book the less likely you will be "forced" into a single room!
-
Is there internet?
There is no internet or wifi available at the lodge.
-
How should I pack for my trip?
Please pack light. All guest luggage must be transported in a snowmobile trailer to the lodge. Everything you bring should fit into one small duffel bag (or backpack) and a ski equipment bag. Please see our Winter Packing List web page for a list of recommended gear. In addition to your ski clothes and equipment, don’t forget to bring warm and cozy lodge clothes – there’s nothing like a hot shower, a pair of fleece pajamas and warm down booties or slippers at the end of an exhilarating winter day of playing outside in the mountains!
-
Do I need to bring any bedding?
No. All of the rooms in the lodge feature cozy goose down comforters, and come with pillows and sheets. We also provide towels and face cloths, but you will want to bring your own toiletries.
-
Is there indoor plumbing and electricity?
Yes! Unlike most other remote lodges, Callaghan Lodge has running water, indoor plumbing, and electricity. That being said, because the electricity is provided by a generator, it is only available when the generator is running:
Generator Times
Morning...Approximately 7:30am – 9:30am
Evening...Approximately 4:00pm – 10:00pm
Please note:
1. Our water pump is powered by the generator. Accordingly, showers, flushing the toilet and using the taps is only possible when the generator is on. Showers should be planned accordingly. When the generator is not on, each toilet will only have one flush. Use it wisely.
2. Please conserve water as much as possible. Our holding tank is quite small.
3. Please bring a headlamp or flashlight in case you need to get up in the night.
4. Please leave your hairdryers and other devices requiring electricity at home.
-
Is alcohol available at the lodge?
As we are not licensed to serve alcohol, we instead welcome you to bring your own. Packing your own mix is also a great idea, if you want to be sure to have it on hand. Please be aware that anything you bring has to be transported to the lodge in a snowmobile trailer or snowcat; therefore, cans are better than bottles (although, they should still be separated from each other to prevent impact punctures). Any glass bottles should be wrapped in plastic (just in case) and then well-packed to protect from breakage. We cannot accept responsibility for alcohol that gets damaged along the way, so please use due care.
-
What will the food be like?
Journeyman Lodge’s resident chef is eager to delight your palate and regale you of your previous day's adventures in one of the most isolated and picturesque dining rooms in the Whistler area!
Our menu is 'Chef Select' and changes daily and seasonally. If you wish to know the day’s entrees, please ask upon your arrival at the Lodge.
-
I am gluten-free / vegetarian / halal/kosher… will there be food options available for me?
We are pleased to welcome guests with dietary restrictions and food allergies; however, due to our remote location, advance notice is required at time of booking to ensure enough time for our chef to coordinate their meal plans. By substituting different ingredients and approaches our chef can accommodate the following common food allergies/restrictions:
Vegetarian | Vegan | *Gluten/wheat | Eggs | Fish | Milk/lactose | Peanuts/tree nuts | Shellfish | Soy | Corn
*We ask that guests with gluten or wheat restrictions bring their own bread and crackers to supplement their meals.
-
Should I purchase travel insurance?
YES! While it is not required, we always recommend purchasing travel insurance for all trips. Travel insurance allows you to seek reimbursement if you are forced to cancel your trip for unforeseeable reasons, or if you need to cover medical help, emergency transport, theft and/or accidental damage while traveling. We recommend World Nomads.
-
What if I need to change or cancel my trip?
If you need to cancel, the $750 deposit for the trip is non-refundable and cancellations will be subject to a cancellation fee (see policy below). For this reason, we recommend purchasing travelers insurance, which will cover the cost of your trip in extenuating circumstances. All cancellations must be submitted to evo in writing, are effective as of the date we receive them according to our internal records, and will be subject to a cancellation fee as follows (amounts are per person and only apply to amount paid after the non-refundable deposit amount): Cancellation 90 days or more prior to trip departure - Non-Refundable Deposit. Cancellation between 45 and 89 days prior to trip departure - 50% of total booking cost. Cancellation less than 45 days prior to departure - 100% of total booking cost. Cancellation policy for custom trips may differ from these terms and will be communicated prior to booking. No refunds will be made if you voluntarily leave a trip for any reason after the trip has begun. The same applies if you leave a trip or cannot fully participate in a trip due to injury or illness. Refunds will be at the discretion of the Company if you are involuntarily forced to leave a trip for any reason. No refunds will be made for any accommodation, transport, sightseeing, meals or services not utilized.