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“My family will talk about this for the rest of our lives,” says one guest’s glowing review of a visit to Boréale Ranch, an adventure lodge in the Yukon operated by Boréale Explorers. Marsha Cameron, co-owner, is hoping the desire and opportunity to build lifelong memories will again draw visitors to the vacation destination, which has been struggling since the global pandemic struck.
“The week of March 15, we lost $20,000 in seven days in instant cancellations,” says Ms. Cameron, adding that with travel coming to an abrupt halt, “we were shut down, and then cut off at the waist.”
That’s a hard hit for the small business, which was established in 2008 as a wilderness mountain bike touring company and expanded in 2013 by purchasing a 16-acre property and developing a full-service year-round facility that features four rooms with two detached suites.
Situated 40 minutes from Whitehorse, the Boréale Ranch faces the stunning Seven Sisters mountains. During winter, the Northern Lights, snowshoeing, gathering by the bonfire, dog sledding, tobogganing and chilling out in the expansive hot tub are highlights. In the summer, with 24 hours of daylight, there are endless trails to hike or mountain bike, guides available to ensure an authentic local experience and activities for explorers of all ages.
From the Northern Lights in the winter to 24 hours of daylight in the summer, Boréale Ranch offers authentic local experiences and activities in a stunning – and safe – setting.supplied
But like others in the tourist industry, Boréale Ranch faced harsh realities due to the impact of COVID-19, including having to lay off its entire staff. The economic slump in the Yukon, where tourism is the second largest industry, has had widespread repercussions. “It’s been devastating,” says Ms. Cameron. “I’ve been an entrepreneur for 12 years, and I don’t want to go back to the beginning.”
The renewed focus is to appeal to Canadians seeking travel experiences that offer them “peace of mind,” and Ms. Cameron says Boréale Explorers is poised to assist individuals, families and small groups with designing their ideal getaway – to a private safe haven with deluxe amenities located in a pristine natural setting.
“Longer stays, somewhere small and intimate, without a high turnover of people, where guests have the place to themselves – I think it’s going to be a trend,” she predicts.
To maximize health and safety, Boréale Ranch reviewed best practices to minimize risks to guests and staff (all of whom have been rehired thanks to the federal government wage subsidy). It has eliminated communal spaces, ensured gathering areas allow for a minimum two-metre spacing, augmented cleaning policies and built in 72 hours between guest departures and arrivals.
“We are over-the-top in what we consider safe, because we have a community responsibility up here,” says Ms. Cameron, noting the vulnerable population of the Yukon, which has reported only 11 cases of COVID-19, with no new outbreaks since April.
Finding “COVID-wins” is tricky but possible, she adds. “People still want to have fun. We are seeing more family bubbles wanting to book. Families need to be able to create positive memories.”
Produced by Randall Anthony Communications. The Globe’s editorial department was not involved in its creation.