From Magnetic North's doorstep, the view is of rolling English countryside and endless green meadows, loved by the team and our office dog Otto alike. We often find our minds drifting north, thinking of our friends in the Arctic to whom we send thousands of clients each season. What might our hosts be up to now? Are they busy preparing for arriving guests or are they immersing themselves in their natural surroundings on a rare moment of downtime? And when we have the regular pleasure of visiting them ourselves, we couldn't be further from the bucolic bliss of the English countryside. The contrasts inspire our team and we're always keen to find out more about our hosts and what inspires them too.

In our second instalment of stories from the doorsteps of our Canadian hosts we visit the depths of the British Columbian Great Bear Rainforest. Spirit Bear Lodge enjoys a tranquil waterfront setting deep in British Columbia's Great Bear Rainforest. A journey to Spirit Bear Lodge is anything but boring; keep a close eye on the passing scenery for passing whales, dolphins, eagles or the elusive bears the lodge is named after. Architecturally, the exterior of the Spirit Bear Lodge pays homage to the traditional long houses built for thousands of years by West Coast First Nations, creating a unique interior that is both modern and yet traditional. Experienced guides with intimate knowledge of the behaviour and movement patterns of the Spirit bears help to get you in the perfect location to view the bears exploring their amazing wilderness. Spirit Bear Lodge works closely with the Coastal Guardian Network of watchmen of the region to maximise your viewing opportunities of grizzly and spirit bears. The welcoming lodge is the perfect place to relax after a day of searching for wildlife with each room enjoying views out to the ocean and rainforest.

We asked Tim McGrady, General Manager at Spirit Bear Lodge, about what enticed him to this wild part of British Columbia. Here is what he had to say:

When did you open your doors to the first guest?

Spirit Bear Adventures first started taking guests on guided tours in 1997 and the lodge was built later in 2007 with an addition in 2011.

During all the years that you have been running this hotel, what is an experience that really stuck in your mind?

Probably the first time I ever saw the Spirit Bear. The beauty of an animal that is in such a striking contrast to the overwhelming amount of greenery of the Great Bear Rainforest, always seems out of this world.

Welcoming guests in such a remote area can be a challenging venture, what makes the experience so rewarding?

I think anytime you can witness people experiencing something for the first time is rewarding. Wildlife and the raw wilderness of the Great Bear Rainforest can be a very moving experience and to help facilitate that makes me enjoy what I do. I think it has the ability to truly change people and their perception of the world.

When you first visited the area what impressed you the most?

The generosity and friendship of the Kitasoo/Xai’xais people.

What is your favourite thing to do during summer?

I love seeing the new grizzly cubs in late spring/ early summer, they are so fun to watch, very playful.

What do you love doing most in the winter months?

I like to hibernate with my family as this is the off season for Spirit Bear Lodge and I away from my family for so long. Nice just to spend time at home with them.

What kind of experience do you want your guests to take home?

I hope they take away with them an experience that they will never forget and one that helps shape their thoughts on the importance of our environment and value of untouched wilderness.

What should every guest do when they visit your hotel?

Go see the Kitasoo/Xai’xais Big House. Often the youth performance group Sua will have performances and they are excited to share some of their culture through stories, songs and dances.

If you'd like to enjoy a holiday at Spirit Bear Lodge, please view this link for more details of our wilderness bear getaway, or contact the team for more information. 

Photo Credits: Cael Cook and Phil Charles