Sasquatch Mountain Resort has been a family favourite since I was a kid. Back in my youth I was a knuckle dragging park rat. These days I’m more of a ‘stick my kids in snow school so I can check out the pow from the pub’s patio’ type of visitor.
This was one of the first vacation destinations for both of my kids, other than Birch Bay. Katerina was only a couple months old when she started her travelling adventures. Katie joined us for a boozy lunch one afternoon and the perfect little snow angel slept silently under the table for hours while our group sampled the pub’s appetizers and wasted money on pull tabs. I had never been so proud. The Bar and Grill is called Molly Hogan’s and it’s a decent place to après with an overpriced cocktail or hot cocoa. The staff is great although the service can be slow during peak times. The food is alright. You’re there for the ambiance. The other option is the cafeteria which serves equally mediocre overpriced grub. They used to allow your own food and drink in this area however I believe there are restrictions at the moment due to that virus that’s been going around. I noticed a lot of people eating on their tailgates last year. There are a couple of outdoor food truck style joints I have not sampled. We managed to sneak into the pub and got a table around 1pm but a long line up started after that.
Sasquatch was known as Hemlock when I was growing up before the new owners took over with an optimistic pipe dream to expand. The mountain is an hour drive from Abbotsford and ideal for a quick weekend or day trip. The road is perfectly safe if you don’t drive like an idiot and have experience in the snow, but it can have its scary moments in bad weather. Once you hit the gravel on the second half of the trip it turns into winding narrow switchbacks. Some places have no barriers. There are sheer cliffs occasionally. When I was 16 I did the drive up in my first car which was a crappy Ford Tempo with bald tires. Today you have to carry chains or the authorities may turn you around.
Sasquatch Resort is 36 runs with 3 chairs and 2 snowboard parks. The tube park has 8 runs. There is guided or freestyle snowshoeing. My baby shredders have done lessons at the snowschool for the past 2 years and the instructors were great. Not super cheap but no worse than the other mountains. We bought adorable tiny pre-owned snowboards that are in great shape (I imagine 4 year olds don’t get out much) and plan to resell afterwards. We rent the boots. I also bought used helmets which should stay in considerable shape if the kids keep stomping their hits. Sasquatch offers equipment rentals of all sorts but if you plan on making this a regular hobby you’ll want to invest in your own gear. Jett had no fear and got knarley on day one. Katie was the raddest 3 year old getting crunchy on the bunny hill.
We have rented so many incredible and cozy cabins on this mountain. The village is small so you can drive anywhere in 5 minutes or walk. There is one itsy bitsy store at the Hemlock Hollow accommodation check in but don’t expect much. Cabins come in all sizes, from one bedroom shacks to ten bedroom luxury villas. There are condos and multi unit buildings that are easier on the budget. These days you can book through the Snowflake Resort Chalets site and the Airbnb and VRBO pages. Rates have skyrocketed in the last few years. Sasquatch used to be a desirable destination for my family because we could get a gorgeous 4-6 bedroom place with a loft and a games room, share it with a bunch of family and friends, for a very affordable price. These days it’s more in line with what you would pay at the other BC mountains. And there is no such thing as last minute accommodations.
Sasquatch Mountain is pretty damn majestic when the evergreens are covered in snow and you’ve got your insulated coffee cup filled with vodka soda to wander around with. There are loads of places for a stroll or an off road sledding adventure. We have friends in the area with a great place to toboggan and a cool snowcat to cruise around in. They let us borrow snowshoes for a trek up the mountain or to simmer in front of their outdoor fireplace while the kids explore in the forest. One time a bear came and ate the lasagna that was cooling on the window sill. I am f%#@&^% terrified of bears and have never personally seen a creature larger than a squirrel in the area, thank god. My little shredders and the older jibbers spend hours building forts to play in and igloos to hotbox. There’s nothing better than breathing in that crisp, cold mountain air.
Après ski is a French term that describes the social activities and entertainment after a day at the slopes. This is my happy place. Cozy sweater. Cushy fur lined slippers. Hair styled into modish braids. Salty and savory snacks. Chilled cocktails. Children giggling with their cousins. Boardgame set up so I can annihilate anyone who dares challenge me. Maybe a cookie or two.
KIDS AGES: INFANT TO 6 YEARS OLD
Hit me with your questions and comments.
paRty of 4 