OFF THE MARKET: Eye of the Grizzly Luxury Retreat | Fay Ranches

EYE OF THE GRIZZLY LUXURY RETREAT

Chilko Lake, British Columbia, Canada

$13,500,000 | 26± Acres

Eye of the Grizzly Luxury Retreat | Chilko Lake, British Columbia, Canada

WHY CHILKO?

“It was so quiet that I could hear flesh tearing from bone as one of nature’s predominant predators, standing upright in the water less than 50 feet from the nose of my kayak, gorged on sockeye salmon. At that moment, grizzly bears outnumbered humans as I watched, my mouth agape, as a mother bear roared in protest as one of her cubs snatched a freshly snagged salmon from her mouth and triumphantly tromped back to shore. Engrossed in a moment of motherly camaraderie with this mighty creature, I was brought back to reality by a firm warning from my guide, reminding me that bears are capable swimmers and to maintain a respectable distance. After watching the family dynamic play out for some time, we paddled on in the misty morning, observing bald eagles soaring overhead, spying additional grizzlies on the opposite shore of Chilko Lake, and enjoying the solitude afforded by this pristine parcel of Canadian wilderness.

For decades, I have regarded the area in and around Yellowstone National Park as the bellwether for all that I love about the great outdoors. I mention this only after having had some time to reflect on my five days at the Eye of the Grizzly Luxury Retreat this past September, which was followed by a trip to Jackson Hole, Wyoming, a few weeks later. Comparing the two, I can state with absolute certainty (and with my apologies to Wyoming and Montana) that this was the most soul-satisfying wilderness adventure that I have ever been privy to.”

Sophisticated Magazine - 2019

Bridget Williams, Editor-in-Chief, Owner

Tsylos Provincial Park was established in 1994 to protect Chilko Lake and the surrounding area from ever changing. Its park classification is undeveloped, meaning no future development of any kind will be allowed. There are no homes on the lake, and it can never become a Tahoe. The Eye of the Grizzly is located four miles from Chilko Lake and accesses the lake’s waters via its dock on the Chilko River. The transit distance from the dock to the lake is two hundred meters.

QUICK FACTS

• 26± deeded private acres

• 100% self-sufficient

• Main House: 4,115 square feet, custom timber frame, 3-bedroom, 5-bath, plus ample room for entertaining

• Tower House: 2,655 square feet, exquisite log home, 2-bedroom, 2-bath, with private lake access

• Annie’s House: 1,570 square feet log home, 1-bedroom, 2-bath, with private wrap-around deck

• Carl’s House: 1,365 square feet, with stunning wooden cathedral, 2-bedroom, 2-bath

• Ben’s Bunk House: 912-square-foot studio, with captivating views at water’s edge

• Bryan’s House: 1,016 square feet bursting with rustic charm, 2-bedroom, 2-bath

• 3 apartment suites, plus a gym and greenhouse

• 6-bay shop with full kitchen and two baths with cedar showers

MAIN HOUSE

While a beautifully designed timber frame home, its primary strength is the old soul feeling it emits to all who enter. This vibe is of a lifelong friend that one has just met for the first time. Constructed of 1904 Douglas fir timbers recycled from a local grain elevator, the home was 100 years old the day it was built. Old timber has a strength, patina, and warmth not found elsewhere. Its cracks, bolt holes, nicks, and notches add to its charm.

This home is the hub of all the operations at the retreat. While it is a three-bedroom, five-bath facility, its foremost function is as a venue for entertainment. Great meals, good company, and spectacular views are the elements of lifetime memories.

4 Eye of the Grizzly Luxury Retreat

THE TOWER HOUSE

This home is perhaps the most spectacular customdesigned log home in North America. It is not the largest home, simply the most spectacular. The 2,655 square foot home sleeps two and was designed for awe and romance. It exceeds all expectations. The master log home builder of our times is a Swiss gentleman known as the Michelangelo of log construction. If fortunate, one will realize they cannot teach Michelangelo how to paint or Faberge how to make eggs. They can only restrict. One should recognize and surrender to the artist’s genius. This home was constructed by the artisan with no restrictions, no timeline, no plans, and no budget.

CARL’S HOUSE

This log home features two grand-sized bedrooms and two 3-piece bathrooms. It was constructed by Swiss timber framers using the same 100-year-old fir beams as in the main house. Floor-to-ceiling windows span the front of the house, bringing the outside in and allowing the afternoon sun to bathe the space in its warmth.

ANNIE’S TEA HOUSE

This 1,570-square-foot log home is special. The first structure placed on this property, it was given the prime building site with beautiful vistas. It also contains a full walkout apartment on the ground floor. Its kitchen is one-of-a-kind bark-on-alder-wood construction, and its fully covered 360-degree walkaround cedar deck allows you to enjoy the views from the highest elevation on the property.

BRYAN’S HOUSE

Bryan’s house was original to the property and constructed in the late 80s. It is the home with the most authentic Canadian feel to it. A large home of 1,016 square feet, it was remodeled in 2022 to add a second-floor master bedroom and ensuite bathroom.

BEN’S BUNK HOUSE

Known as “the artists’ cabin,” this timber home features a one-bathroom studio suite on the water’s edge, and a private wood-fired hot tub.

ADDITIONAL BUILDINGS

• 2-story building with full gym and greenhouse on ground floor and 3 large ensuite bedrooms above

• 6-bay shop which includes a full woodworking shop, fully equipped kitchen and 2 bathrooms with cedar showers

• 4-bay shop with laundry and storage

• Ice house – a giant cooler

• Solar panels and equipment building

OFF-GRID INDEPENDENCE

The Eye of the Grizzly Luxury Retreat is located thirty miles off the power grid, offering a purity and lifestyle that many seek but few have the opportunity to experience. It’s one thing to exist off the grid and another to do so in a green and luxurious fashion. The key is control of your electrical power source and eliminating the need for fossil fuels to provide such.

The Eye of the Grizzly has achieved this by building a state-of-the-art solar system. In 2022, the system was updated and doubled in capacity to 25 KW. All new control room electronics were installed, including inverters and a 320-lithium cell bank that can operate the system for up to two days. There is a primary and backup generator to provide power should the sun not shine for extended time periods.

The network provides power for large-capacity refrigeration, all household needs, a large lawn irrigation system, and 220V service to a full-scale woodworking shop. A combination of wood stoves and propanepowered furnaces heats homes. Clothes dryers and inline water heaters are propane power. There are 2,500 gallons of propane storage on site.

NEARBY

C hilko l ake

Chilko Lake is the largest Alpine lake in Canada and can only be described as majestic. Fifty miles in length, 1,100 feet in depth, and surrounded by 10,000-foot, glacier-topped mountains, it has no equal in BC. Glacier and snow-melt-fed, the water is so pure locals drink directly from the lake and its rivers. Its Cerulean blue color is captivating; its beauty is so stunning that a provincial park was developed in 1994 to ensure it never changes. Season 8 of the Alone series was filmed here.

The function of the Chilko River is to act as a spillway for Chilko Lake. The river itself is beautiful, but it provides three recreational opportunities that are not to be missed.

One is world-class fly fishing for rainbows and bull trout. The season opens June 10th and runs into October. The river is classified waters and thus restricted to catch and release.

In 2014, Outside Magazine named the Chilko River the best white-water river in the world. It contains an 18-mile stretch of continuous Class IV & V waters called Lava Canyon. It is the longest such stretch of class IV & V waters in North America. It is rafted in 45 minutes by professionals.

The river also hosts some of the best bear viewing in Canada. Its first two miles of flow is a heavy salmon spawning area and a magnet to grizzlies.

The Chilcotin, an expanse of pristine wilderness, spans central British Columbia and covers a staggering 2.6± million hectares. This vast area is more than twice the combined size of Banff and Jasper National Parks. It is the vastness and purity that overwhelms some first-time visitors. It’s also what enthralls them. The Chilko valley, lake and river system is the best part of the Chilcotin.

RECREATION

One of the primary reasons for site selection was the multisport possibilities offered, both onsite and offsite. Being located in three ecosystems has its advantages; the river offers world-class fly fishing, kayaking, white water rafting, and the best bear-watching in North America.

• The lake offers excellent fishing, lake tours, hiking, and camping.

• The mountains and glaciers offer hiking, wildlife, and sightseeing.

• The high plateau has hiking, ATV’ing, and beautiful vistas, especially at sunset.

• On property: Viking axe range, archery, Kubb, and fishing

FISHING

Two primary types of fishing exist at Chilko. Fly fishing for rainbow trout on the river and spin casting for bull trout and rainbows in Chilko Lake. Numerous other smaller lakes in the region are excellent for rainbows. Salmon fishing is great on the coast in the Bella Coola area. There is no salmon fishing on the Chilko River unless the fisherman is of First Nations heritage.

WILDLIFE

The Chilko supports all wildlife known to exist in the British Columbia interior.

Present are grizzly bears, black bears, mountain goats and sheep, mountain lions, timber wolves, and even wolverines and lynx. These are present but seldom seen due to their secretive nature. It’s exciting just to know a sighting is possible. More common are mule deer, moose, bald and golden eagles, foxes and coyotes, and an abundance of sockeye salmon.

Not mentioned is that Chilko is perhaps the best spot in Canada to view grizzly bears.

The fact that actual National Geographic photographers come to Chilko to photograph the bears says something about the quality of the offering. Few people understand why Chilko is such a mecca for grizzlies. British Columbia hosts 15,000± grizzlies. The majority live on the coast as it usually has better food supplies. However, the coast has many salmon rivers that should be considered salmon restaurants. Bears get spread over a 500-mile coastline; thus, concentration numbers are low. The Chilko River is 200 miles from salt water and the only salmon river in a 150-mile radius. Thus, it is not uncommon to encounter a dozen grizzlies in a two-mile stretch of the Chilko River. Over 100 grizzlies will migrate into the Chilko area annually for the salmon spawn.

Photo credit: Murray O’Neil 28 Eye of the Grizzly Luxury Retreat | Chilko Lake, British Columbia, Canada

CLIMATE

In the winter (December to February), temperatures can drop significantly, with average lows ranging from 14°F to -4°F. It’s not uncommon for temperatures to go even lower during cold snaps. During the summer (June to August), temperatures usually range from around 50°F to 68°F, but they can sometimes reach higher. The area experiences longer daylight hours in the summer months, making it an attractive time for outdoor activities.

Chilko Lake

WATER SOURCES | WATER RIGHTS

All potable water for the facility is provided by an on-site well. The 160-foot deep well flows at 14 gallons per minute and provides water of bottling quality and great taste. It is tested annually and has never had a single issue.

LOCATION

The lodge is located 173 air miles (278 km) north of Vancouver and 172 driving miles (277 km) west of Williams Lake in the heart of the Chicotin region of British Columbia.

GETTING THERE

Charter Flight

Take a 1-hour direct charter flight to Chilko from Vancouver.

Self Drive

From Vancouver, a ten-hour scenic drive following the Fraser River awaits you.

Commercial Flight/Drive

A quick one-hour flight from Vancouver to Williams Lake is followed by renting a vehicle and enjoying a scenic 3-hour drive to Chilko.

Eye of the Grizzly Luxury Retreat

A GENERATIONAL ASSET

This estate isn’t just a retreat; it’s a self-sufficient, off-the-grid sanctuary that harmonizes with the environment and offers the grounds to create a family legacy. For something to be truly generational, it must offer an exceptional experience over the span of a century or more. It’s not enough that the facility remains unchanged; the environment in which it resides must do the same. The protection afforded by an undeveloped provincial park and First Nation-titled lands assures that change is not coming to this area. The beauty and activities the first generation enjoys today will be there for the seventh.

$13,500,000

PRICE TERMS

Cash, Conventional Financing, 1031 Tax Exchange

This is an exclusive co-marketing with Fay Ranches, Inc. and Royal LePage Interior Properties. Please contact Susan Colgate at (250) 267-1088 | colgatesusan@gmail.com to schedule a showing. An agent from Royal LePage Interior Properties must be present at all showings unless otherwise noted or other arrangements are made. For co-marketing information in Canada, contact Troy Dana at (360) 402-5500 | tdana@fayranches.com. To view other properties, fly fishing properties, and sporting ranches that we have listed, please visit our web page at www.fayranches.com .

CONTACT NOTICE

Offer is subject to errors, omissions, prior sale, change or withdrawal without notice, and approval of purchase by owner. Information regarding land classification, carrying capacities, maps, etc., is intended only as a general guideline and has been provided by the owners and other sources deemed reliable, but the accuracy cannot be guaranteed. Prospective purchasers are encouraged to research the information to their own satisfaction.