Where It All Started

It wasn't some grand business plan, honestly. Just a love for these mountains and too many weekends spent in overpriced, underwhelming lodges.

Back in '08, my partner Elena and I were sitting in yet another cramped hotel room with a "mountain view" that was basically a parking lot. We'd just spent the day skiing some of the best powder Whistler had seen in years, and we couldn't help thinking - why does the accommodation always feel like an afterthought?

That conversation turned into sketches on napkins, which turned into late nights poring over architectural plans. We wanted to build something that felt like it belonged up here - not just another building dropped onto the mountainside, but a place that worked with the landscape.

The name "Ignivar" came from an old hiking map we found at a local antique shop. It marked a forgotten trail that used to run right through where our property sits now. Seemed fitting - we were rediscovering something special that'd been here all along.

We broke ground in 2010 with a small crew and big dreams. Elena handled the interior design while I worked with local contractors who actually knew what they were doing (unlike me, apparently). There were setbacks - the first winter delayed construction by four months, and we went way over budget. But we stuck with it.

When we finally opened in 2012, we had twelve rooms and a staff of eight. Now we've grown to what you see today, but we've kept that original vision - a place where the experience matches the incredible setting around us.

Every guest who walks through our doors is part of continuing that story. We're just glad you're here to write it with us.

- Marcus Thornfield
Co-Founder & Managing Director