This year, we are thrilled to announce an extended four-day experience. Nestled within the breathtaking, traditional unceded territory of the Líl̓’wat and N’Quatqua First Nations, this retreat is designed to foster profound connections with the living earth.
In many ways our emergence from the social upheaval of the pandemic has been far from our expectations of a return to normal. We live in a world where everything is rapidly changing everywhere all at once.
For some of us, the lessons in solitary existence imposed by pandemic lockdown prompted a primaeval need to connect with nature and reflect on the importance of this connection to our well-being and survival. During our rambles on deserted beaches and forest trails, we had time to note the increasingly severe effects of climate change on the environment.
The vision for this retreat is to provide safe spaces for women to exchange stories, ideas, coping strategies and wisdom that may ease our movement forward in the rapidly changing reality. We will be busy from morning yoga to chef-prepared suppers with activities that include horse riding, workshops and storytelling. In the spirit of camaraderie, we share what we choose and hold space for the thoughts, songs and stories of others during our evenings around the campfire.
We acknowledge that climate change issues disproportionately affect Indigenous people and invite you to enrich your experience with nature, strengthen your bonds to it and partner with the Líl̓’wat and N’Quatqua Nations to protect it in perpetuity.
This gathering will start at the ranch on Thursday and include a day of horse instruction and riding before moving to our back country basecamp in the afternoon on the traditional unceded territory of the Lil’wat Nation. It is focused on deepening our connection to the land, the water and the sky.
In many ways our emergence from the social upheaval in the plague years of 2020-2023 have been far from our dreams of a healthier, happier society. The vision for this retreat is to provide a safe space for women where the exchange of ideas, knowledge and wisdom will suggest some tools we can use individually and collectively to regain balance, identify goals and move forward in the currently divisive social landscape.
Our intention is to bring together women of all ages and cultural backgrounds to exchange ideas on what to keep, what to modify and what to reject from our current ways of being and more specifically to relax, enjoy each other’s company and have fun.
About
Gallery
About The Host
We are a premier guided horse riding company in British Columbia’s Sea to Sky corridor and offer many different types of horseback adventures in the Whistler and Pemberton areas.
We provide hourly horseback trips in Pemberton, full and half-day rides in the Birkenhead Lake backcountry, multi-day trips to Birkenhead Lake and Sun God Mountain, and custom rides almost anywhere you want to go.
It is about you and the horses. We look forward to meeting you on one of our many rides!
Location
Things to keep in mind
FAQ
What Do I Need To Bring On An Overnight Trip?
A. Before you arrive, you will need to separate your belongings into two groups. One will be what you take on horseback with you, and the second is what is transported to camp. On horseback, you will need to bring a filled water bottle, jacket, bug spray, sunscreen, hat, and camera (as desired). Please be wearing long pants with closed-toed boots or shoes.
We do not recommend the use of a backpack, so only bring what you can take on the horse with you. Your horse will be carrying two saddlebags, one for your belongings and the other for your provided lunch. There are also ties on the back of the saddle that will strap in your jacket. We supply a riding cape on all rides in case of rainy weather.
We supply horses, saddles, wrangler/guide, tents, cots, mats, (sleeping bags on request) towel, washcloth and riding cape. There is hot and cold running water with a shower in camp.
We also supply hearty meals, catering to most dietary restrictions (these will be asked for upon checkout from our online booking system), light snacks, tea and coffee, and water. If there is something that you particularly need or want, you should make sure you bring it. Alcoholic beverages fall in this category, we do not supply them, but encourage folks to bring what they want to drink after the ride and around the campfire.
You supply at least one complete change of clothing, your toiletries, a warm jacket and layered clothing for the evenings, a pair of comfortable camp shoes, and a bathing suit and towel. There is not a weight limit; as long as you can lift it into the trailer, it can go to camp.
Do I Get To Pick My Own Horse?
A. Based on the information you supply us on checkout from our online system, we will pick a horse suitable to your abilities. If you have specific requests you can add them in the notes on checkout. Just like people horses have their own personality which we try to match to your abilities.
Do You Have A Height And/Or Weight Limit?
A. At the ranch, we offer pony rides for anyone under 4’ tall. For our hourly rides, you must be 4"‘ or taller, no age restriction.
As for weight limit, 275lbs is our maximum. Remember that the saddle and equipment can weigh about 40lbs. So even with a rider at 275lbs, the horse is carrying over 300lbs.
If you are heavier than 275lbs but are in good physical condition, please contact our booking team.
What Should I Wear And Bring?
A. WEAR: long pants and closed-toed boots are a must. Shirts, tops, jackets, can be chosen at your discretion according to the temperature and weather.
BRING: Filled water bottle, hat, sunscreen, bug spray, camera, jacket, and your mask.
Do You Take Walk-Ins?
A. Unfortunately, no.
We request that reservations for the hourly rides be made at least two hours ahead, half and full-day rides 24 hours ahead, and overnight trips 7 days ahead.
Do I Need To Have Any Experience?
A. It always helps but is not required. During online booking checkout, we gather the basic information we need to match you up to one of our horses. We ask for height, weight, age, gender and riding experience, all so that we pair you with the horse that best matches your abilities. We try to put you in a group that is of equal ability, although this does not always happen, and we make sure everyone walks away happy with their ride.
How Fast Will We Ride? What Speeds Will We Ride At?
A. In horse language, speed refers to a horses gait. Walk = slow, trot = faster, lope = faster still, and gallop = really fast. As long as the riders have the ability and desire, we try to exercise all gaits during a ride. However, if the riders do not feel comfortable, we will keep to speeds that they are comfortable with.
What Can I Expect When I Get To The Ranch?
A. Please only arrive 15 minutes prior to your ride time start, if you arrive prior to that, you may be asked to stay in your vehicle until your allotted time.
Drive past the house to the back of the property to the parking area and please put on your mask. Upon exiting your vehicle, please use the outhouse if you need to at this time. Your wrangler will greet you at the sanitizing station (table with the helmets). Please sanitize your hands and try on a helmet if you would like to wear one (mandatory for those under-19 years). Once everyone is here we will get you into the paddock. Your wrangler will give you a quick demonstration, assign you a horse and you mounted and off you go. You can now lower your mask and enjoy the fresh air.
Upon return, please raise your mask, dismount and exit the paddock. Please deposit your helmet under the table and proceed to your car.
So much of what we have done in the past has been based on letting our guests mingle and relax around the ranch prior to and after their rides. Unfortunately, due to COVID-19, we do ask that you limit your time at the ranch after your ride so that we may safely serve our guests arriving after you.
What Should I Have Completed Before I Arrive?
A. Have a confirmed reservation, it is your confirmation. Signed the online waiver, the link is in your confirmation. Have directions to your ride start location, they are in your confirmation. Make sure you have suggested items with you, those items are listed in your confirmation.
Come to think of it, you better keep that confirmation around!