Mountain Escapes is a podcast that aims to connect backcountry enthusiasts with the owners and operators of BLBCA member lodges throughout BC, Canada. In each episode we highlight a unique lodge through conversation with an owner. We will also feature guest appearances by other influential backcountry enthusiasts and industry experts.
Your host, Brad Harrison, has worked and adventured in remote settings most of his life. He’s owned and operated lodges, operated mountaineering camps and provided avalanche courses. He is the Executive Director of the Backcountry Lodges of BC Association.
Mountain Escapes | Episode 19 - Jan Neuspiel (MPCISM)
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.
22 Dec 2025
Mountain Escapes | Episode 18 - Boulder Hut
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. (https://backcountrylodgesofbc.com/bernie-schiesser-master-hills/) 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
24 Feb 2025
Mountain Escapes | Episode 16 - Battle Abbey (new owners)
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!
19 Dec 2023
Mountain Escapes | Episode 15 - Brad Harrison (Colwest Alpine)
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.
18 Oct 2023
Mountain Escapes | Episode 14 - Tyax Adventures
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.
31 Jan 2023
Mountain Escapes | Episode 12 - Battle Abbey
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.
2 Nov 2022
Mountain Escapes | Episode 11 - Ice Creek Lodge
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".
27 Jul 2022
Mountain Escapes | Episode 10 - Walt Judas, TIABC
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.
10 May 2022
Mountain Escapes | Episode 09 - Sol Mountain Lodge
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.
4 Apr 2022
Mountain Escapes | Episode 08 - Diana Lake Lodge
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 when you have a minute.
1 Mar 2022
Mountain Escapes | Episode 07 - BC AdventureSmart
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 you have time to listen in.🎧
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 into Mt. Assiniboine Lodge both now and back then, way back then. We will hear stories about legendary characters such as Lizzie Rommel, Erling Strom and Andre's father, Sepp Renner.
Thanks for tuning in.
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.
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.
20 Oct 2021
Mountain Escapes | Episode 03 - Whitecap Alpine
Your host and backcountry veteran Brad Harrison is back! In this episode, he sits down with father and son team Ron and Lars Andrews owner/operators of Whitecap Alpine Adventure. This is a historic and wonderful facility located in an amazing setting well-situated for both winter and summer backcountry adventures
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.
1 Oct 2021
Mountain Escapes | Episode 02 - Talus Lodge
The BLBCA welcomes you back to another episode of Mountain Escapes. In this episode, Brad sits down with Thomas Grandi and Sara Renner owner/operators of Talus Lodge. They were both Olympians and World Cup skiing multi-medalists before taking over Talus Lodge. Recounting those experiences as well their joy in raising a young family in BC’s backcountry highlight this podcast. Be sure to check it out.
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!
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
Apple Podcasts (US)
5.0 / 5
1 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 6 / 100
A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.
Quality
12
Social presence
0
YouTube
0
Engagement
0
Contact Mountain Escapes | A Backcountry Podcast
Guest appearances
Does not typically book guests
Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.
Host of Mountain Escapes | A Backcountry Podcast ?
Claim your podcast to manage its listing and keep your show details accurate.
Pod Engine is an independent podcast discovery and analytics service and is not affiliated with or endorsed by this podcast. Artwork and show content belong to their owners. Full legal notice.
Explore this show Podcast research with Pod Engine
