Eco Retreat Activities

Hiking in the unrushed style of "bushwalking" provides many opportunities to identify natural flora and fauna up close with a mind to stepping lightly on the earth.

Trails originate at our back door. Our fully-guided package, Shelter from the Storm, includes fully guided and interpreted hikes. Many of these same trails are open for self-exploration by guests staying under self-guided packages.

We hike along the following trails with an attitude of "start off slow, and then go slower":

Cycling on the Kettle Valley Rail Trail gives a longer view of the Coquihalla River eco system. The Kettle Valley Rail Trail is virtually flat, and mostly paved, as it meanders along the Coquihalla River, thereby making it accessible for guests of most fitness levels. There are ample opportunities to view local wildlife, eat wild berries along the way, and drink in the mountain wilderness.

Yoga-pilates-stretch fusion in the lush green forest or on the white, sandy beach provides the perfect ending to each afternoon. It is an opportunity to relieve your body of the day's events and it is a restful segue to the wood fired hot tub, a soothing beverage, and preparation of the evening meal.

Eco Spa Experiences

Enjoying the therapeutic benefits of an authentic wood-fired Finnish sauna is more than just a cleansing experience, it is an ethnic spa getaway. You will learn how to reap the full benefits of your sauna experience by your Finnish host, Sue. From slapping your skin with steamed birch saplings for improved circulation, to the art of fully appreciating each sauna intermission, to a cold dip in the river, this is a spa experience you will not want to miss!

Relax after a day on the hiking trail in the heated waters of our wood-fired hot tub. Nestled in the forest under giant trees and sky, it makes no difference if it is day or night, sunny or raining, you will enjoy the quiet stillness looking out to the river as your body luxuriates in this passive spa experience.

For those who wish to book a massage treatment or a Native healing Reiki treatment, we are pleased to offer RMT (registered massage therapist) and authentic Native experiences by local practioners.

Zero-tasking

As a newly-coined phrase, zero tasking is anything but new. It is the ancient art of ceasing all activity, and in many ways it is a lost art. Whether sitting in a chair, lying in a hammock, or lounging at the beach, the soothing lull of the Coquihalla River provides a wonderful backdrop for meditation, daydreaming, reconnecting, recharging your spirit, or simply enjoying the peace and serenity of nature.

Campfire Time

Time spent around a crackling campfire is a mesmerizing experience enjoyed throughout the ages. It is an intriguing and mysterious pastime of deep simplicity to warm your body, mind and spirit. Listening to stories, singing to guitar, or sharing quietude readies you for evening retirement. The gentle sound of the river lulls you towards a restful and rejuvenating sleep.

Eco Cuisine Creation

Great cuisine commands great ingredients. Experience 'digging in the dirt' in the on-site organic garden, harvesting fruits, veg, and herbs for daily meals, and enjoying a grounding connection with the earth. Led by your host and culinary enthusiast, meals are prepared en groupe with a "gathering place" approach to nourishment. From tree to table, from quality local suppliers, and from our own hands, we prepare mouth-watering culinary delights, wrapped in caring and love. Vegetarians, vegans, and those with special needs are lovingly accommodated to make their cuisine creation activities wholly fulfilling.

Eco Art

Part of any creative experience is trying new things. Creative expression may take many forms, and we enjoy experimenting with many new ideas. From giant driftwood mobiles in the forest to copper pipe garden structures, to working with Northwest Native art forms, to building sand castles and inukshuks, your soul will be nourished by working creatively with your hands and with your imagination.

Eco Learning Activities

There is a certain "something" about chopping, splitting and stacking firewood that brings fulfillment. Whether novice or expert, the feeling is universally described as "wholly satisfying", and it brings full circle the replenishment of that which we use for our retreat experiences. Most all wood we burn is through selective harvest required to maintain the health of our forest. Learning and enrichment also comes from participating in seasonal projects, hounding river rocks, watching wildlife (especially birds along the river)...there always something interesting to learn during every minute of your eco retreat experience.

Environmental Activities

As we walk through nature, it is an unfortunate reality that not all visitors are mindful about leaving spoiled traces of their passage. So, we carry a spare recycled bag along to "pick up where others have left off".

As we move through our daily activities, we learn first-hand how to reduce what we use, reuse items with old or new uses, or, recycle that which we cannot reduce or reuse.

We endorse everyone using products provided by the retreat (shampoos, soaps) so as to minimize effects of anything entering our environmentally optimized eco systems.

You will feel good about your contributions and will learn more about how you can continue to make a positive difference even after you leave.

History and Geography

From aboriginal derivatives of our namesake through to the early fur traders, on to historic decades of the Kettle Valley Railway, and through to the present day, our area is rich with culture, history, and stunning geography. Guests may learn to hug a tree for sharing spiritual energy, and gently be imbued with the richness of our history and geography throughout the fully-guided package experience. Guests on self-guided packages may read about our area through the many books in our library.

Nature Activities

Beauty and diversity abound with ample opportunities to view nature up close. Wildlife viewing includes bear, deer, marmot, mountain sheep, birds of many feathers including heron, eagle, osprey, owl, eider ducks, harlequin ducks, wood ducks, merganser, kingfisher, bobbers, woodpecker, mosquito hawk, swifts, hummingbird, junko, etc. and many, many, song birds.

Plantlife surrounds us wherever we go. From giant fir, cedar, and hemlock forests, including a rare section of old growth forest, to chocolate lilies, ferns and "1000 kinds of moss", fauna changes with every passing month of the year. Exploring the varied geography is fun and fills the mind, body, and soul. Rock hounding along the river may turn into hours looking for just "one more". Identifying birds, mushrooms, plants and trees becomes natural to even the neophyte quickly.

More Nature and Recreation

Combining your At Kw’o:kw’e:hala eco retreat experience with other activities and places in our area is a frequent pastime, especially for guests from far away.

The following list represents nature and recreation opportunities no farther than one hour away:

Private Recreation Opportunities
Private Airplane tour with our good friend Reg (non-commercial $60 per hour)
Guided fishing (we recommend Great River Fishing)
River Rafting (we recommend REO White Water Rafting)
Hope Golf and Country Club
Vancouver Soaring Association (glider tours)
Helicopter Tours (we recommend Valley Helicopters)

Public Parks
Manning Provincial Park (especially late June-early July alpine wild flower walking trail)
Mountain Biking Trails
Skagit Valley Recreation Area
Sasquatch Provincial Park
Silver Lake Park

Area Attractions
Harrison Hot Springs
Minter Country Gardens
Hell’s Gate Airtram and Salmon Fish Ladder

We strive to assist our guests in any way possible.