Our Story Runs Deep

We didn't plan to build a hotel. We just fell in love with this mountain and couldn't leave.

1

2018 - The Beginning

Sarah and Marcus were just two burned-out tech workers from Vancouver looking for a weekend getaway. They stumbled onto this old logging property during a wrong turn on a backcountry ski trip. The place was falling apart, but man, the view stopped 'em cold.

2

2019 - Taking the Leap

Six months later, they'd quit their jobs and bought the land. Everyone thought they'd lost it. Maybe they had. But they had this vision of creating something different - a place where folks could disconnect without sacrificing comfort, where wilderness wasn't just scenery but something you could actually touch.

3

2020-2022 - Building Together

They partnered with local Indigenous communities, hired craftspeople from Whistler and Pemberton, and sourced materials from BC mills. Every beam, every stone has a story. COVID hit midway through construction, but honestly, it gave 'em time to get things right instead of rushing.

4

2023 - Opening Our Doors

First guests arrived in March. Eight rooms, a dining hall that smelled like cedar and fresh bread, and more nervous energy than we knew what to do with. But people got it. They understood what we were trying to create.

5

Today - Still Growing

We've added more rooms, expanded our trail network, and brought in incredible people who share our weird obsession with mountains and hospitality. We're not trying to be the fanciest place around - just the most honest one.

Sarah Mitchell, Co-Founder

A Note from Sarah

Co-Founder & Chief Dreamer

Hey there,

If you'd told me seven years ago that I'd be running a hotel in the mountains, I would've laughed. I was a UX designer who couldn't even keep houseplants alive. But life's funny that way.

What we've built here at Halcyon Riftborn isn't really about luxury - though yeah, the beds are pretty damn comfortable. It's about creating space for people to remember what it feels like to breathe. To wake up without immediately reaching for their phone. To realize that the best WiFi connection is sometimes no connection at all.

Marcus and I aren't hospitality professionals. We're just two people who got tired of the rat race and decided to try something different. We've made tons of mistakes along the way, but we've learned that authenticity beats perfection every time.

This place is rough around the edges in the best possible way. The land teaches us something new every season. Our team - they're not just employees, they're people who genuinely give a damn about this mountain and everyone who visits it.

So when you stay with us, know that you're not just a guest. You're part of this ongoing experiment in slowing down, tuning in, and remembering why wild places matter.

Come as you are. Leave different.

Sarah's signature

We're Actually Doing the Work

Sustainability's become such a buzzword that it almost doesn't mean anything anymore. But out here, it's not optional - it's how we survive.

87%

Local Sourcing

Everything from our timber to our breakfast eggs comes from within 100km. Supporting BC producers isn't charity - it's just common sense.

0

Waste to Landfill

We compost, we recycle, we reuse. What can't be dealt with on-site goes to facilities that actually process it properly. Zero really means zero.

100%

Renewable Energy

Solar panels and hydro power. BC's grid is already pretty clean, but we're taking it further. The sun and the creek work for us now.

45

Acres Protected

We've partnered with local conservation groups to protect the forest around us. More wilderness, fewer developments. That's the deal.

What We're Working On

  • Getting our water usage down another 15% by next year
  • Building a greenhouse so we can grow more of our own produce year-round
  • Converting our fleet vehicles to electric (once the infrastructure catches up with us out here)
  • Training more locals as wilderness guides and hospitality professionals
  • Reducing single-use items even further - we're at 92% elimination but want 100%

We publish our full sustainability report every year. No greenwashing, no hiding the tough numbers. You can ask us about any of this stuff when you visit.

The People Who Make It Happen

We're a weird mix of mountain guides, ex-corporate escapees, local legends, and people who just really love what they do.

Marcus Chen
Marcus Chen

Co-Founder & Operations

Elena Rodriguez
Elena Rodriguez

Executive Chef

Thomas Blackwater
Thomas Blackwater

Lead Wilderness Guide

Priya Sharma
Priya Sharma

Wellness Director

Jake Morrison
Jake Morrison

Guest Experience Manager

Sienna Walsh
Sienna Walsh

Sustainability Coordinator

Dustin Berg
Dustin Berg

Adventure Sports Lead

Margot Leblanc
Margot Leblanc

Sommelier & Beverage Director

Plus about 30 more amazing humans who keep this place running - housekeepers, maintenance crew, front desk folks, guides, kitchen staff. Everyone here matters.

Ready to See for Yourself?

We're not for everyone, and that's okay. But if this resonates with you - if you're looking for something real in a world of Instagram filters and manufactured experiences - we'd love to have you.

Get in Touch
Halcyon Riftborn at sunset