Big Bar Guest Ranch

I am captivated by the diversity of British Columbia, from the peaks to the rainforests, the valleys to the ranchlands, and everything in between. Far removed from the metropolitan centers in BC, lies the Caribou region and the location of our next adventure that we want to share with you, Big Bar Guest Ranch. This is a must-have BC guest ranch experience to save for the future when it becomes safe to travel.

Located four hours north of Kelowna, Big Bar Guest Ranch is home to over 30 horses, a family of goats, friendly farm dogs, and an ornery rooster. The property lays beneath the Marble Mountains and at certain times of the year, when the world around is calm, you might catch a glimpse of some of BC's most elusive predators such as mountain lions and wolves cresting the hilltops.

With not much hope for a Covid-19-free Christmas, I love the idea of staying in one of their cozy cabins for the holidays. With 3 bedrooms, a fully-stocked kitchen, cozy living room, and wood burning fireplace, it's the perfect place to spend time with your household without coming into contact with another soul.

Our first morning, we awoke to the sounds of a mother and foal "talking" outside our window. The whinnying made me feel like I was transported to the middle of 80's movie, Man From Snowy River.

Like a giddy little girl, I threw off my blankets and watched the horses gathering around the windows, munching at the scarce green grass peeking from under the snow. Jake stoked the morning fire and I sipped my tea by the window with an Arabian horse peeking in.

Winter activities here include skating, bonfires, ice-fishing, snowshoeing, and cross-country skiing. Spend time with the horses and get to know their funny personalities. The entire trip is a photographer's dream especially with a blanket of sparkling snow.

We thought it would be fun to show you what a wedding weekend here would look like so we collaborated with Rachel Hunter from @rachelhunter.photography and @whimsyandwry in Penticton for our Anna Kara designer wedding dress, to stage a magical elopement.

The snow, the land, and the animals work together to make this much more than a visit, but an otherworldly adventure. Suddenly, you are characters in a nostalgic movie, stars in your very own Disney or Hallmark feature.

Although Big Bar Ranch can host large groups for weddings, a wedding party of ten would be dreamy at this intimate location. A place to celebrate small in the vastness of BC's beauty.

The photos captured exactly what we came here to do, unplug, connect with nature, cozy up with friends and board games, bond with animals and meet a fantastic crew of people managing life here at a BC guest ranch.

Our experience here was before the heightened restrictions for travel. Please follow the BC orders surrounding travel and stay home if you are feeling unwell. A special thank-you to @rachelhunter.photography for your vision and artistic talents in wedding and lifestyle photography. For more photos from this adventure and others, follow us on Instagram @loewenlifestyle!