Author: Natasha Neskai Davis
On a warm afternoon in August, I sat down with David MacKenzie, owner and managing director of the Pemberton Valley Inn. We found a quiet spot and discussed why this place felt so different from a typical resort town. David knows the valley very well and it's obvious that he is as passionate about the surrounding wilderness as the guests who come to enjoy it.
Natasha: What makes Pemberton an ideal place for anyone seeking to connect with nature?
David: I would say we are the gateway to remote areas. We see many guests passing through on their way to various events in both summer and winter. In the winter, there may be ski touring, hut tours, ice climbing or heli-skiing, all available in our area.
In the summer, the Pemberton Valley is the confluence of several rivers, so you'll find kayakers, hikers, climbers, paragliders, equestrians and we're especially famous for our mountain biking. We have hundreds of kilometers of trails and our trail associations have put in a lot of work in recent years to increase beginner and intermediate options. When these routes first started, they were quite advanced and we wanted to make them more accessible for newbies without having to jump right into expert level rides.
Natasha: Speaking of wellness and relaxation, what about the hotel itself? How does it help guests connect with nature without even leaving the hotel?
David: First and foremost, this is where we are. Being in Pemberton—rather than in Whistler—is probably our biggest advantage. We're based in a quaint little mountain town where the pace is slower and the atmosphere is authentic.
If you go to a restaurant here, you'll often see the owner behind the counter or in the kitchen. The same goes for our deli and coffee shop. People live here because they value nature, health and community, which is evident in the way they interact with visitors.
Located in the aviation-themed YPS Café, where guests can dine and enjoy happy hour
Natasha: What else makes the Pemberton community so great for those seeking wellness?
David: Overall, we're a very healthy community, both health-wise and in our arts, and I think those two go hand in hand. Because we are smaller, we are quieter. You won’t get the constant hustle and bustle of a large resort town. For those seeking this, Whistler is great. It offers a lot. But if you want a quieter escape where you can really breathe, reset and go at your own pace. Pemberton Valley Inn is the place.
look Pemberton: Where water, mountains and warm smiles heal you Read Natasha's review of the Pemberton Valley Inn where David is the owner.
Natasha Netschay runs a PR and communications agency in Vancouver and teaches writing courses at SFU. She also writes wellness articles for travel, yoga, and mental health media.
