Mountain Escapes | A Backcountry Podcast

This is Mountain Escapes, brought to you by the Backcountry Lodges of BC Association. Today we’re joined by Jan Neuspiel — longtime mountain guide, former owner of Island Alpine Guides on Vancouver Island, and the newly minted Program Coordinator for the Mountain Professional Critical Incident Stress Management Team. Welcome back, Jan.

Jan’s career spans decades in the mountains, from trekking and mountaineering in Nepal to heli-ski operations in the Indian Himalaya, leadership roles with Bella Coola Helisports, and co-founding the Vancouver Island Avalanche Centre Society. He’s also a peer responder with the Mountain Professional CISM Team and a recognized leader in mountain safety, with awards from both HeliCat Canada and the ACMG.

His personal adventures include a ski-mountaineering circumnavigation of Denali, a solo ascent of Pumori, traverses of the Wrangell–St. Elias Range, and a single-day ascent of Mount Asgard.

Thanks for joining us on Mountain Escapes. To hear more conversations like this, be sure to check out other BLBCA Mountain Escapes episodes. Take good care out there.

Join us for an exciting new episode as Brad sits down with Sarah Yancey, owner/partner of Boulder Hut, a comfortable and historic BLBCA member lodge located in the Purcells Mountains near Kimberley, BC. Discover the long journey of the Yanceys, from purchasing Boulder Hut from Margie Jamieson to operating it today.

After taking over from Margie, the Yanceys have immersed themselves in BC backcountry lodge life. They home-schooled their kids at the lodge in the winter season, and Grace is now taking a more active role in running the business. The apple doesn't fall from the tree! 🍎

🔥 Interested in ski touring, hiking or other adventure tourism? Hit play now. #myBCbackcountry #unpluginBC #BLBCA

Join us for an exciting new episode as Brad sits down with Glen Crawford, owner/partner of Campbell Icefield Chalet, a stunning BLBCA member lodge tucked deep in the Rocky Mountains near Golden, BC. Discover the incredible journey of dismantling, helicoptering, and rebuilding this remote retreat—piece by piece—high in the BC mountains.

Glen and his wife, Louise, recently took over the reins from the legendary Bernie Schiesser. What is it like to take over a backcountry lodge? If you prefer a self-guided, self-catered adventure, this is one of the prime locations to check out.

Plus, hear about Glen’s epic career in video and photography.

🔥 If you crave adventure, this episode is a must-listen! Hit play now. #myBCbackcountry #unpluginBC #BLBCA

Get ready for another exciting episode of Mountain Escapes! This time, Brad sits down with Tessum Weber, the owner/operator of the historic Battle Abbey Lodge in the Selkirk Mountains, just southwest of Golden, BC.

Founded by legendary explorers Hans Gmoser and Bill Putnam, this BLBCA member lodge has a rich legacy—and now, Tessum and his brother are bringing fresh energy to its operations.

Tune in to hear all about the revamped Battle Abbey and Tessum’s incredible, self-supported journey to the North Pole—where he became the youngest person ever to conquer this life-threatening expedition. Don't miss this inspiring episode—listen now!

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 Colwest Alpine Adventures. Listen in to the many stories and insights he has to share.

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.

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.

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.

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". 

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 many opportunities that tourism in BC presents. Make sure you catch Walt's insightful answers to some challenging questions.