Our Story

Back in 2015, I was pretty burnt out from corporate life in Vancouver. Spent way too many years in a grey cubicle dreaming about powder days and mountain air. One weekend trip to Whistler changed everything - I mean really changed it.

There was this old lodge property sitting empty on Blackcomb Way. Beautiful bones, terrible condition. Everyone thought I was crazy when I maxed out everything to buy it. My accountant literally tried to stage an intervention.

"I wanted to create a place where the mountain doesn't feel like something you visit - it becomes part of who you are during your stay."

The vision was simple but kinda risky: combine the raw power of mountain wilderness with seriously refined hospitality. Fire and frost, right? Not just a catchy tagline - it's about that contrast you feel up here. The warmth of a crackling fire after a day in sub-zero temps. The rush of adrenaline followed by total zen in our spa.

Took three years of renovations. We salvaged almost everything we could from the original structure, worked with local craftspeople who actually knew these mountains. My contractor became my best friend (and occasionally my worst enemy when budgets exploded).

What started as my personal escape fantasy has become home to thousands of guests who get it. People who want luxury without the stuffiness. Adventure without sacrificing comfort. And yeah, we've made plenty of mistakes along the way - like that time we installed a hot tub that was somehow too hot to use, or when our first chef quit after two weeks because he "didn't understand mountain cuisine."

"Every detail here tells a story - from the reclaimed timber in our lobby to the locally-sourced ingredients in our restaurant."

Today, Cindervex Realm isn't just my dream anymore. It's become something bigger, shaped by every guest who's stayed here, every team member who's believed in it, and yeah, by the mountain itself. This place has its own personality now.

We're not trying to be the biggest or the fanciest. We're just committed to being real, being sustainable, and creating experiences that stick with you long after checkout.

- Marcus Thorne, Founder & Managing Director

Our Journey

2015
The Beginning
Acquired the historic Blackcomb Lodge property. Started with just me, a massive bank loan, and probably too much optimism. The place had good bones but needed everything else.
Original property
2016-2017
Renovation & Vision
Eighteen months of chaos. Worked with local builders and artisans to preserve the mountain heritage while creating something fresh. Tons of reclaimed wood, custom metalwork, and way more structural issues than expected.
Renovation process
2018
Grand Opening
Opened our doors in February with 28 suites. First winter season was a wild ride - learned more in those three months than in all my previous career. Our spa became an instant hit, restaurants took a bit longer to find their rhythm.
Grand opening
2019
Expansion & Recognition
Added the Craft Cocktail Lounge and expanded our adventure tour offerings. Won 'Best New Mountain Resort' from Pacific Travel Magazine - that was surreal. Started getting repeat guests which felt like we were doing something right.
Lounge opening
2020-2021
Pivoting Through Challenges
Yeah, that happened. Had to completely rethink how we operate. Became way more flexible with bookings, enhanced outdoor experiences, created private dining options. Honestly made us stronger and more creative.
Outdoor experiences
2022
Sustainability Commitment
Achieved carbon-neutral certification and partnered with local conservation groups. Installed solar panels, upgraded to geothermal heating, started our zero-waste kitchen program. Cost a fortune but it's non-negotiable for us.
Sustainability initiatives
2023
Community Integration
Launched our local artist residency program and started hosting indigenous cultural experiences. Began sourcing 90% of our food within 150km. Built real partnerships with the Whistler community - we're part of the ecosystem now, not just visitors.
Community programs
2024-2025
Present Day
Still evolving, still learning. Recently added our wellness retreat packages and year-round adventure programming. We've hosted guests from 47 countries, but what matters most is that people keep coming back. That's the real measure.
Current resort

Our Commitments

These aren't just nice ideas - they're how we actually operate every single day.

Carbon Neutral Operations

Achieved certification in 2022 through renewable energy, offset programs, and operational changes. We measure everything and adjust constantly.

Waste Reduction

Zero-waste kitchen composting all organics, eliminated single-use plastics property-wide. Our waste diversion rate is sitting at 87% and climbing.

Local Sourcing

Working directly with 23 local farms, fisheries, and producers. Shorter supply chains mean fresher food and lower emissions. Plus we actually know the people growing our ingredients.

Water Conservation

Low-flow everything, greywater recycling system, and natural landscaping that doesn't need irrigation. Cut our water usage by 40% since opening.

Wildlife Protection

Working with conservation groups to protect migration corridors and natural habitats. Guest education programs about coexisting with mountain wildlife responsibly.

Community Investment

Living wage guarantee for all staff, profit-sharing program, and 3% of revenue goes to local environmental and social programs. We do better when our community does better.