In Profile: Sarah Cruse

What are you looking forward to most about working with Baillie Lodges?

The synergy of being able to connect on an international level with core values that represent genuine hospitality. Baillie Lodges hold high luxury standards and commitment to service yet with a sense of being grounded and humble, connected to what is important in their properties, local communities, and their people.

What is a typical day at Clayoquot Wilderness Lodge like for you?

There is no such thing as a ‘typical day’ at Clayoquot which is why I find this job so enchanting and rewarding. It is such a beautiful thing to wake up before the crack of dawn and watch the sun rise, it sets the tone for the day. My joy is checking in on our guests, I love to know how they slept through the night, with only a canvas roof and the sounds of nature so close. I love finding them after their outings and hearing their stories of the day’s activities, after which we plot and plan for the next adventure they will be heading out on. In between our guest checks, I chase our heartbeat of the property… our wonderful staff that I call my ‘kids’. They are the backbone of our property and truly make all the magic happen.

Once all the humans have been checked on, the fun begins organizing the daily experiences, so that adventures get out in a timely fashion. Horses are saddled up, boats are humming, knapsacks are packed for hikes, kayaks and paddles are ocean bound. Property checks for housekeeping and maintenance are next on the list, following up with all dietary needs in the kitchen, and if I am lucky, I may get a cookie from the baker. Next we are off for afternoon activities, followed by everyone coming together at the Cookhouse for cocktails and canapes, sharing stories on who caught the biggest fish, saw the most bears, hiked the highest mountain or conquered the most challenging rock wall climb! Exhilarated and pleasantly exhausted is how we end our day, as strangers become fast friends over dinner.

As the lodge is open from May to September, what do you and team do in the off season?

Amongst the team, we call the off season our ‘high season’ as a huge amount of work gets done in these months. From trailblazing to sales calls, recruiting to cleaning, maintenance projects to marketing for the following season… it does not stop and continues to be so much fun! And don’t forget we have our herd of horses with us, keeping those wonderful animals fed, groomed, and exercised in preparation for the following season is a full-time job.

What wilderness experience do you think no guest should miss?

At the top of the list would have to be hiking the Ursus Valley. The pristine wilderness is home to old growth forest that has never seen logging, remaining untouched for thousands of years. The Ursus Valley and its direct neighbour, the Upper Boulson Valley, create one of the largest intact sections of old growth forest left on Vancouver Island. As we reach the river spit of the valley, there is a low hum, and out of nowhere a helicopter appears, lands on the spit, scoops you up and suddenly you are soaring above the mountain, gazing down on the incredible forest. If guests wish to make this a very special moment, we can do this trail on horseback, which gives them a completely different view! So, there you have it…. hiking, horses, and helicopters. It just doesn’t get better than that!