INTO THE WILDERNESS
From sailing Canada’s rugged coastline to foraging adventures with its new-generation chefs, these unique wilderness experiences transport travellers into the country’s wild heart, alongside the people who love them most.
Hidden away on the Bedwell River on Vancouver Island is a place so serene it’s hard to imagine ever wanting to leave. Touted as a complete wilderness glamping experience, Clayoquot Wilderness Resort is everything you would imagine, and more. For executive chef Michael Pataran, the inspiration for his menu is never far from the island’s fir and cedar-laden landscape and pristine waterways.
“I’ve been here for two years and I’m still discovering new local ingredients – there are just so many producers. Seafood is particularly abundant in the region: we work with British Columbia spot prawns caught in the same river system the resort is on, halibut, sturgeon, clams, scallops, black cod and oysters. But we also love to use the fabulous butter and cheeses of local small producers, as well as the many different mushrooms we forage in the forests surrounding the resort.”
After living internationally for years, Pataran’s return to Canada has brought him back to a place where he can engage with all that he loves about the lifestyle. “Fresh pristine mountain and ocean air, a plethora of ingredients, and chilly nights by a campfire,” he says. “What more could I want?”
When the vision for this retreat was formed 20 years ago, the idea of a luxury wildlife retreat with tented accommodation was somewhat ambitious.
“The thing that most impresses me is where the resort sits internationally, considering its humble beginnings,” says Pataran. “It started out as a passion project and morphed and flourished into a renowned, world-class resort in the middle of the remote wilderness; an incredible achievement by anyone’s standards.”
The resort’s remarkable food and wildlife offering, against the island’s backdrop, ensures an iconic Canadian experience. Floor to ceiling windows in the Ivanhoe lounge guarantee views over the remarkable landscape whilst sipping cocktails before dinner. Guests are also invited to eat and relax in the retreat’s Cookhouse; a centralised dining space where the coveted fireside table on the deck is always hotly contested. Meanwhile at the kitchen bar things remain lively as diners talk to the chef during evening service.
For Pataran, the opportunity to chat with visitors and recommend local experiences is integral to his job.
“The passion of local foragers, artisans and guides to celebrate and showcase Mother Nature is second to none here,” he says. “I love talking about them and when I can, introducing them to guests. And naturally, the wildlife is so incredible. Anyone who comes to the area cannot leave without a wilderness eco-safari in Clayoquot Sound to see the ancient rainforest bears, whales (grey, humpback and killer whales), sea lions, sea otters, bald eagles and more.” wildretreat.com