Big Creek Lodge BC | Feel the Freedom! | Horseback Riding & Camp Adventures — Hotel in Area K (East Chilcotin)

Young women wranglers were knowledgeable and attentive. Rides and scenery nice. I had five rides at three hours each. I signed up for and paid a 50% deposit for four rides and one day trip to Nemiah Valley and Chilco Lake but the night before trip, was told that because other guests did not want to go that my day trip was canceled. I thought I was getting an extra trail ride in place of the canceled day trip but in the end I was charged an extra $50.00 for the ride.||||Cindy did arrange tent camping for me at a chalet in Nemiah Valley that I would pay for and she gave me a few days groceries from their supply at no charge so I could go there on my own. Because the groceries were "free", I did not dispute paying the $50 for the extra trail ride.||||I liked that the lodge was small and intimate. There were 6-8 other guests. Beautiful view from deck off of my room and upstairs communal areas. Room (#3) spacious, clean and comfortable. Bring your own toiletries as minimal supplied for a six day stay; there was hand soap. I used my headlamp for reading in bed as lamp was inadequate. ||||No key is provided to lock guest room door when you leave and the Innkeepers' law posted on the door states that the management is not responsible for any loss so I locked valuables and all my passwords in my car when I went riding. The doors can be locked from the inside. There were workers who came from outside the lodge that used the public restroom next to my room. The lodge's office door, next to my room, was locked.||||Good Wifi signal but an agreement needs to be accepted at each use that states your activity can be surveilled and censored if "they" deem inappropriate. I believe in intellectual freedom, access to information and privacy so this was a major turn-off even if I only accessed a library, newspaper or booking website.||||Food for breakfast and dinner was average. I got tired of the same packed, trail- lunch for five days: Turkey and cheese wrap, red delicious apple or banana, granola bar, mini chocolate bar. Maybe a cookie or cheese stick for variation.||||I liked that outdoor shoes are removed in the lodge, but wish I had known so that I could have brought my slippers.||||Next time I go riding, I will bring bear spray. The wranglers had spray and there was no need for it, but I would feel more confident with my own.||||The fellow that worked there was friendly...

If you are going for a horseback riding trip - rethink things. After hearing Cindy - manager say “the horses come first…. The horses come first….” We learned day one- they don’t. If you are a casual rider- some of these things will go unnoticed— but if you have been around horses, understand what “putting the horse first means” - you will get it. If you care about horses- you might have a hard time w things On day one my friend was handed a horse and she quickly shared- this horse is lame. Upon which the staff said “she will work out of that” and “ don’t turn her in small circles- that makes her worse”???? On the ride she signaled to guide that her horse was showing signs of discomfort and difficulty and again she was told “ she will work out of it”. Upon return to ranch after a short ride- her horse and another horse were displaying signs of lameness. On day two there were only 4 of us going for a ride. Two of the 4 horses they gave us that morning (different horses from first day) were lame. When we shared this w the guide she said “no they aren’t” but quickly refuted her response when she learned two of the 4 riders were equine veterinarians. So the young woman apologized and offered us other horses. Then upon saddling I identified that my horse had sores from improper saddle fitting/wear… I tried to shift /turn pad - and finally identified to staff the pad was worn out and offering no comfort for horse… can’t we please change pad- of which they did. Point of all this is- they are offering a horse riding holiday experience w no real investment in the appropriate care, proper equipment, outcome for the horse. That’s a tragic story. We left after 2 days. Not a horseback riding experience Something real wrong w that. we have been on true horseback riding vacations so have comparisons. Others treat and manage their horses like athletes.. well fitting and cared for tack, no sores, no limping/bobbing heads, physically fit|for what they are being asked to do everyday. We have had same horses on other trips for whole week riding for 4-6 hours a day without lameness…limping or saddle sores. Not the story we experienced at...

BC residents with BC Buckle List Trip. Booked a 7-night Horseback Riding package and left after a 3 nights cabin stay. This is what we encountered, defiantly not the experience we signed up for. Not owner operated, told management and owners live/work in Asia. ||This unforgettable visit does not have your wellbeing their top priority. Accommodations, lodge + views are as website shows and that’s where is ends. From our first step onto the property never felt welcomed and treated as an inconvenience. No cozy warm atmosphere here. A warning sign should have been when we saw all the plants in their greenhouse and those in the hanging baskets, dead. No goings-on ever around the lodge and corrals had that abandon feeling. Where are all the animals?||Horses were held in pasture-like 5-minute drive from lodge. We did get 2 rides in but your riding experience was NOT tailored to your abilities. These trail horses are for the non-riders. Still looking for that promised ‘exciting challenges for the experience riding guest’, as we rode at a walking pace along logging roads. These outings lasted for approx. 2 total hours unlike the 3 – 5 hrs. guaranteed. ||The meals were neither homemade or hearty; you served yourself, with hot items cold and cold items warm. There’s no 3-course dinner. Big appetite? Well, you are now on a diet. Breakfast was classily - store bought containers of yogurt, peanut butter, nutella etc. with spoons stuck into them for your own helping. Cold coffee in carafes. I hope you are getting the idea.||German is mainly spoken as most of their guests are from Europe (a captive audience). Limited seasonal staff (3) also from Germany, compensated by room/board. When lodge’s host, Cindy was approached about changing to the short stay package due to our concerns, advised we could leave anytime. NO credit, NO refund 3-night pkg. vs 7-night pkg. NOT even ‘what can...