MOUNTAIN LIFE - Coast Mountains | Fall Winter 2018

FALL/WINTER 2018 MLCM 93 words :: Natalie Langmann photos :: Blake Jorgenson Over the Hurley Forest Service road, just north of Whistler, lies a ghost town speckled with decrepit multi-coloured homes left over from the gold-mining era of the dirty 30s. But in the past decade and a half, skiers, snowboarders, snowmobilers and dirt/mountain bikers have been breathing new life back into Bralorne’s ageing homes—a new foundation going in, or a slick new paint job in an obnoxious orange or purple colour. Or perhaps a less costly resurrection, like the Kiwi who spray painted “Ski or Die” over his front entrance. Beyond these tear-downs and well-loved cabins, the surrounding mountains offer some of best sled-accessible riding in the world but the journey to Bralorne is no easy in-and-out day trip. And once you show up, it’s like Hotel California—you’ll never want to leave. With that in mind, professional mountain biker Darren Berrecloth, Ride Whistler snowmobile tours owner Chris Brown, and photography legend Blake Jorgenson joined forces to start up Bralorne Adventure Lodge—a 10-person boutique lodge smack dab in the middle of a ski bum’s paradise. “My first impression of Bralorne was this time-warp feeling of stepping back into some kind of cabin-in-the-woods fantasy,” explains Jorgenson, who first bought in the area in 2001. “It was very rough around the edges at first, almost indoor camping, and had a great sense a self-reliance. We felt tough, adventurous, and somewhat rebellious against the high costs of Whistler. I was also drawn to the sense of community of people who love this area and want to get out and adventure together.” Brown first came to Bralorne for the notorious parties Jorgenson and his friends used to throw. With names like Blakestock, Burning Dan and Jenberton Fest, these parties helped shape the whatever-happens-in- Bralorne-stays-in-Bralorne ethos. “Bralorne is like the Wild West,” Brown says. “It’s a lawless town with a simple rule: don’t be an a-hole.” Upon purchasing the lodge, the boys went to work renovating. They put in an aluminum hot tub with cedar siding and a wood-fired snorkel stove submerged in the water. It takes about three hours to heat up, but it’s always fresh water with no chemicals. Next, they built a sauna and a cold pool. People bake in the sauna and jump off the deck into the cold pool—the Bralorne version of Scandinave Spa, except spa guests don’t get ‘shushed’ for sharing tales of their day in the mountains, and an après beverage is never discouraged. The three owners further partnered with Jane Roberts and Diego MacDugal, two local residents who’ve created year-round jobs for themselves hosting, private catering, and managing the lodge. BRALORNE ADVENTURE LODGE MOUNTAIN HOME The perfect time to arrive.