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Cross River - rocky mountain cabins and retreats for hiking, rafting, biking, yoga, land-based education, and cultural learning
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    An ancestral skills fire building workshop at Cross River
    Cross River - rocky mountain cabins and retreats for hiking, rafting, biking, yoga, land-based education, and cultural learning

    Cabins. Recreation. Education.

    • About Us
    • Our Facility
    • Our Meals
    • Our Area
    • Contact Us
    • FAQ
    • Cabin Accommodations
    • Outdoor Recreation
    • Outdoor Education
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    • Learning Library
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    An ancestral skills fire building workshop at Cross River
    • About Us
    • Our Facility
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    • Our Area
    • Contact Us
    • FAQ
    • Cabin Accommodations
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    • Outdoor Education
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  • Menu
    • About Us
    • Our Facility
    • Our Meals
    • Our Area
    • Contact Us
    • FAQ
    • Cabin Accommodations
    • Outdoor Recreation
    • Outdoor Education
    • Activities List
    • Learning Library
    • Awards & Testimonials
    An ancestral skills fire building workshop at Cross River
    Cross River - rocky mountain cabins and retreats for hiking, rafting, biking, yoga, land-based education, and cultural learning

    Cabins. Recreation. Education.

    • About Us
    • Our Facility
    • Our Meals
    • Our Area
    • Contact Us
    • FAQ
    • Cabin Accommodations
    • Outdoor Recreation
    • Outdoor Education
    • Activities List
    • Learning Library
    • Awards & Testimonials
    An ancestral skills fire building workshop at Cross River
    • About Us
    • Our Facility
    • Our Meals
    • Our Area
    • Contact Us
    • FAQ
    • Cabin Accommodations
    • Outdoor Recreation
    • Outdoor Education
    • Activities List
    • Learning Library
    • Awards & Testimonials
Cross River - rocky mountain cabins and retreats for hiking, rafting, biking, yoga, land-based education, and cultural learning

Cabins. Recreation. Education.

Book now
Cross River - rocky mountain cabins and retreats for hiking, rafting, biking, yoga, land-based education, and cultural learning
  • Menu
    • About Us
    • Our Facility
    • Our Meals
    • Our Area
    • Contact Us
    • FAQ
    • Cabin Accommodations
    • Outdoor Recreation
    • Outdoor Education
    • Activities List
    • Learning Library
    • Awards & Testimonials
    An ancestral skills fire building workshop at Cross River
    Cross River - rocky mountain cabins and retreats for hiking, rafting, biking, yoga, land-based education, and cultural learning

    Cabins. Recreation. Education.

    • About Us
    • Our Facility
    • Our Meals
    • Our Area
    • Contact Us
    • FAQ
    • Cabin Accommodations
    • Outdoor Recreation
    • Outdoor Education
    • Activities List
    • Learning Library
    • Awards & Testimonials
    An ancestral skills fire building workshop at Cross River
    • About Us
    • Our Facility
    • Our Meals
    • Our Area
    • Contact Us
    • FAQ
    • Cabin Accommodations
    • Outdoor Recreation
    • Outdoor Education
    • Activities List
    • Learning Library
    • Awards & Testimonials
  • Menu
    • About Us
    • Our Facility
    • Our Meals
    • Our Area
    • Contact Us
    • FAQ
    • Cabin Accommodations
    • Outdoor Recreation
    • Outdoor Education
    • Activities List
    • Learning Library
    • Awards & Testimonials
    An ancestral skills fire building workshop at Cross River
    Cross River - rocky mountain cabins and retreats for hiking, rafting, biking, yoga, land-based education, and cultural learning

    Cabins. Recreation. Education.

    • About Us
    • Our Facility
    • Our Meals
    • Our Area
    • Contact Us
    • FAQ
    • Cabin Accommodations
    • Outdoor Recreation
    • Outdoor Education
    • Activities List
    • Learning Library
    • Awards & Testimonials
    An ancestral skills fire building workshop at Cross River
    • About Us
    • Our Facility
    • Our Meals
    • Our Area
    • Contact Us
    • FAQ
    • Cabin Accommodations
    • Outdoor Recreation
    • Outdoor Education
    • Activities List
    • Learning Library
    • Awards & Testimonials
Cross River - rocky mountain cabins and retreats for hiking, rafting, biking, yoga, land-based education, and cultural learning

Cabins. Recreation. Education.

Book now
  • Menu
    • About Us
    • Our Facility
    • Our Meals
    • Our Area
    • Contact Us
    • FAQ
    • Cabin Accommodations
    • Outdoor Recreation
    • Outdoor Education
    • Activities List
    • Learning Library
    • Awards & Testimonials
    An ancestral skills fire building workshop at Cross River
    Cross River - rocky mountain cabins and retreats for hiking, rafting, biking, yoga, land-based education, and cultural learning

    Cabins. Recreation. Education.

    • About Us
    • Our Facility
    • Our Meals
    • Our Area
    • Contact Us
    • FAQ
    • Cabin Accommodations
    • Outdoor Recreation
    • Outdoor Education
    • Activities List
    • Learning Library
    • Awards & Testimonials
    An ancestral skills fire building workshop at Cross River
    • About Us
    • Our Facility
    • Our Meals
    • Our Area
    • Contact Us
    • FAQ
    • Cabin Accommodations
    • Outdoor Recreation
    • Outdoor Education
    • Activities List
    • Learning Library
    • Awards & Testimonials
Cross River - rocky mountain cabins and retreats for hiking, rafting, biking, yoga, land-based education, and cultural learning
Book now
Cross River - rocky mountain cabins and retreats for hiking, rafting, biking, yoga, land-based education, and cultural learning
  • Menu
    • About Us
    • Our Facility
    • Our Meals
    • Our Area
    • Contact Us
    • FAQ
    • Cabin Accommodations
    • Outdoor Recreation
    • Outdoor Education
    • Activities List
    • Learning Library
    • Awards & Testimonials
    An ancestral skills fire building workshop at Cross River
    Cross River - rocky mountain cabins and retreats for hiking, rafting, biking, yoga, land-based education, and cultural learning

    Cabins. Recreation. Education.

    • About Us
    • Our Facility
    • Our Meals
    • Our Area
    • Contact Us
    • FAQ
    • Cabin Accommodations
    • Outdoor Recreation
    • Outdoor Education
    • Activities List
    • Learning Library
    • Awards & Testimonials
    An ancestral skills fire building workshop at Cross River
    • About Us
    • Our Facility
    • Our Meals
    • Our Area
    • Contact Us
    • FAQ
    • Cabin Accommodations
    • Outdoor Recreation
    • Outdoor Education
    • Activities List
    • Learning Library
    • Awards & Testimonials
Book now
Cross River - rocky mountain cabins and retreats for hiking, rafting, biking, yoga, land-based education, and cultural learning
  • Menu
    • About Us
    • Our Facility
    • Our Meals
    • Our Area
    • Contact Us
    • FAQ
    • Cabin Accommodations
    • Outdoor Recreation
    • Outdoor Education
    • Activities List
    • Learning Library
    • Awards & Testimonials
    An ancestral skills fire building workshop at Cross River
    Cross River - rocky mountain cabins and retreats for hiking, rafting, biking, yoga, land-based education, and cultural learning

    Cabins. Recreation. Education.

    • About Us
    • Our Facility
    • Our Meals
    • Our Area
    • Contact Us
    • FAQ
    • Cabin Accommodations
    • Outdoor Recreation
    • Outdoor Education
    • Activities List
    • Learning Library
    • Awards & Testimonials
    An ancestral skills fire building workshop at Cross River
    • About Us
    • Our Facility
    • Our Meals
    • Our Area
    • Contact Us
    • FAQ
    • Cabin Accommodations
    • Outdoor Recreation
    • Outdoor Education
    • Activities List
    • Learning Library
    • Awards & Testimonials
Book now

About Us

our story and team

About Us

our story and team

“The world isn’t just the way it is. It is how we understand it, no? And in understanding something, we bring something to it, no? Doesn’t that make life a story?”
— Yann Martel, Life of Pi
“The world isn’t just the way it is. It is how we understand it, no? And in understanding something, we bring something to it, no? Doesn’t that make life a story?”
— Yann Martel, Life of Pi
“The world isn’t just the way it is. It is how we understand it, no? And in understanding something, we bring something to it, no? Doesn’t that make life a story?”
— Yann Martel, Life of Pi
The Patenaude family became stewards of this land in 1992 and built up Cross River from there. Our cabins are the original Cathedral Mountain Lodge chalets, built in the 1920s/1930 in Yoho National Park. We moved them here and refurbished them in the early 1990s. This instigated the story of Cross River, which at its core is about off-the-grid living and self-sustainability, outdoor adventure and education, and cultural and historical responsibility.
The Patenaude family became stewards of this land in 1992 and built up Cross River from there. Our cabins are the original Cathedral Mountain Lodge chalets, built in the 1920s/1930 in Yoho National Park. We moved them here and refurbished them in the early 1990s. This instigated the story of Cross River, which at its core is about off-the-grid living and self-sustainability, outdoor adventure and education, and cultural and historical responsibility.
The Patenaude family became stewards of this land in 1992 and built up Cross River from there. Our cabins are the original Cathedral Mountain Lodge chalets, built in the 1920s/1930 in Yoho National Park. We moved them here and refurbished them in the early 1990s. This instigated the story of Cross River, which at its core is about off-the-grid living and self-sustainability, outdoor adventure and education, and cultural and historical responsibility.

The Core of Who We Are

Off-The-Grid Living

modelling sustainability, reciprocity & generosity

Holistic Adventure

challenging curious bodies, minds & souls

Relational Responsibilty

cultivating social & ecological resilience

Our Facility
Hikers enjoying the Rocky Mountain view during a guided hike in Banff National Park

The Core of Who We Are

Off-The-Grid Living

modelling sustainability, reciprocity & generosity

Holistic Adventure

challenging curious bodies, minds & souls

Relational Responsibilty

cultivating social & ecological resilience

Our Facility
Hikers enjoying the Rocky Mountain view during a guided hike in Banff National Park

The Core of Who We Are

Off-The-Grid Living

modelling sustainability, reciprocity & generosity

Holistic Adventure

challenging curious bodies, minds & souls

Relational Responsibilty

cultivating social & ecological resilience

Our Facility
Hikers enjoying the Rocky Mountain view during a guided hike in Banff National Park
Hikers enjoying the Rocky Mountain view during a guided hike in Banff National Park
Hikers enjoying the Rocky Mountain view during a guided hike in Banff National Park
Shortly after the cabins were refurbished, we added the main lodge for meals and building community, then opened for our first guests from Australia in 1996. Around that same time, we were reconnecting with our family’s ancestry from the Georgian Bay Métis Community. We became affiliated with the Ghost River Rediscovery Society and started our work with Indigenous youth and communities around Canada. Our Indigenous elder’s lodge was built in the mid-2000s, as a dedicated space for collaborations with Indigenous elders and communities.
Shortly after the cabins were refurbished, we added the main lodge for meals and building community, then opened for our first guests from Australia in 1996. Around that same time, we were reconnecting with our family’s ancestry from the Georgian Bay Métis Community. We became affiliated with the Ghost River Rediscovery Society and started our work with Indigenous youth and communities around Canada. Our Indigenous elder’s lodge was built in the mid-2000s, as a dedicated space for collaborations with Indigenous elders and communities.

Shortly after the cabins were refurbished, we added the main lodge for meals and building community, then opened for our first guests from Australia in 1996. Around that same time, we were reconnecting with our family’s ancestry from the Georgian Bay Métis Community. We became affiliated with the Ghost River Rediscovery Society and started our work with Indigenous youth and communities around Canada. Our Indigenous elder’s lodge was built in the mid-2000s, as a dedicated space for collaborations with Indigenous elders and communities.

Inclusive pride flag for the Cross River diversity statement

Diversity Statement

Difference is a testament to life. Social and ecological diversity underwrites the world we stand for. Cross River acknowledges and honours the edges between and fluidity within skin colours, genders, knowledge systems, cultures, and ecosystems.

Difference is a testament to life. Social and ecological diversity underwrites the world we stand for. Cross River acknowledges and honours the edges between and fluidity within skin colours, genders, knowledge systems, cultures, and ecosystems.

Become staff, volunteer, or donor
Become staff, volunteer, or donor
Inclusive pride flag for the Cross River diversity statement

Diversity Statement

Difference is a testament to life. Social and ecological diversity underwrites the world we stand for. Cross River acknowledges and honours the edges between and fluidity within skin colours, genders, knowledge systems, cultures, and ecosystems.

Difference is a testament to life. Social and ecological diversity underwrites the world we stand for. Cross River acknowledges and honours the edges between and fluidity within skin colours, genders, knowledge systems, cultures, and ecosystems.

Become staff, volunteer, or donor
Become staff, volunteer, or donor
In 2011, we also became affiliated with Outward Bound Canada. The following year, the BC government approved a land tenure agreement with us. This enables our use of adjacent land throughout the Yearling Creek headwaters and peaks, which we use for cultural and educational programs. Shortly after, we added the community yurt to the Cross River grounds, in order to host retreats and enhance our program possibilities. We started offering kids camps for schools and working with various teachers and universities on more land-based and cultural learning initiatives.
In 2011, we also became affiliated with Outward Bound Canada. The following year, the BC government approved a land tenure agreement with us. This enables our use of adjacent land throughout the Yearling Creek headwaters and peaks, which we use for cultural and educational programs. Shortly after, we added the community yurt to the Cross River grounds, in order to host retreats and enhance our program possibilities. We started offering kids camps for schools and working with various teachers and universities on more land-based and cultural learning initiatives.
In 2011, we also became affiliated with Outward Bound Canada. The following year, the BC government approved a land tenure agreement with us. This enables our use of adjacent land throughout the Yearling Creek headwaters and peaks, which we use for cultural and educational programs. Shortly after, we added the community yurt to the Cross River grounds, in order to host retreats and enhance our program possibilities. We started offering kids camps for schools and working with various teachers and universities on more land-based and cultural learning initiatives.

How Are We Different?

For peace of mind
and warmth of heart

Home is where the heart is

When here, you are not just at a place of business, but in our home. You will be able to feel the heart of this in every detail.

Environmental Responsibility

Sustainability is not just a trend here, but a way of life. We are fully off-the-grid; practicing to live in balance with the land.

Recreation / Education Balance

We not only focus on recreational sport and activities, but also deeper learning and culture.

Reliable and high quality

Members of our family are personally involved in your visit, from cabin cleanliness to hospitality and programs.

Social / Cultural Responsibility

We are industry leaders in taking settler-colonialism seriously, from design to hiring and operations.

Good things in small packages

We have intentionally kept operations small, for a sense of family and community with the forest and each other.

How Are We Different?

For peace of mind
and warmth of heart

Home is where the heart is

When here, you are not just at a place of business, but in our home. You will be able to feel this in every detail.

Environmental Responsibility

Sustainability is not just a trend here, but a way of life. We are fully off-the-grid; always practicing to live in balance with the land.

Recreation / Education Balance

We not only focus on recreational sport and activities, but also deeper learning and culture.

Reliable and high quality

Members of our family are personally involved in all aspects of your visit, from cabin cleanliness to hospitality and programs.

Social / Cultural Responsibility

We are industry leaders in taking settler-colonialism seriously, from design to hiring and operations.

Good things in small packages

We have intentionally kept our operations small, retaining a sense of family and community with the forest and each other.

We continue evolving today. Our innovative guided hikes and Indigenous cultural programs address current conversations around decolonization and truth, justice, and reconciliation. We tailor them to requests and design them for the outdoor industry, tourism and arts organizations, businesses, and schools. Whether here for recreation or education, though, all guests are visiting our family and home, not just a business. And we continue to learn and imagine alongside our guests how to live better together with the land, our history, and each other.

We continue evolving today. Our innovative guided hikes and Indigenous cultural programs address current conversations around decolonization and truth, justice, and reconciliation. We tailor them to requests and design them for the outdoor industry, tourism and arts organizations, businesses, and schools. Whether here for recreation or education, though, all guests are visiting our family and home, not just a business. And we continue to learn and imagine alongside our guests how to live better together with the land, our history, and each other.

We continue evolving today. Our innovative guided hikes and Indigenous cultural programs address current conversations around decolonization and truth, justice, and reconciliation. We tailor them to requests and design them for the outdoor industry, tourism and arts organizations, businesses, and schools. Whether here for recreation or education, though, all guests are visiting our family and home, not just a business. And we continue to learn and imagine alongside our guests how to live better together with the land, our history, and each other.

Our Team

Our Team

Troy Patenaude - Cross River staff for guided hiking and backpacking, land-based education programs, and Indigenous cultural sharing

Troy Patenaude, PhD
(he/him)

Georgian Bay Métis scholar, educator, curator, and ACMG hiking guide who has spent his life exploring the intersection between nature, arts, culture, and social change.

Georgian Bay Métis scholar, educator, curator, and ACMG hiking guide who explores the intersections between nature, arts, culture, and social change.

Rob Patenaude - Cross River staff for guided hiking, hospitality, and guest services

Rob Patenaude
(he/him)

Georgian Bay Métis guide, builder, innovator, and entrepreneur whose sense of adventure, strong work ethic, and enduring relationship with Marilyn, laid the foundation for Cross River.

Georgian Bay Métis guide, builder, innovator, and entrepreneur whose sense of adventure, strong work ethic, and relationship with Marilyn, laid the foundation for Cross River.

Marilyn Patenaude - Cross River staff for hospitality and guest services

Marilyn Patenaude
(she/her)

Settler Canadian (British/Scottish), artist, educator, wild-crafter, and homemaker with a knack for making people feel at home around her, which is also part of the fabric of Cross River.

Settler Canadian (British/Scottish), artist, educator, and homemaker with a knack for making people feel at home around her, which is also part of the fabric of Cross River.

Erica Olmstead - Cross River staff for outdoor education programs, kids camps, and youth and school groups

Erica Olmstead, MMEd
(she/her)

Settler Canadian (Welsh/French), free-choice learning educator with interests in cross-curricular, aesthetic, affective, participatory, and dialogic learning models.

Settler Canadian (Welsh/French), free-choice learning educator with interests in cross-curricular, aesthetic, affective, participatory, and dialogic learning models.

Melaina Patenaude - Cross River staff for land-based education programs involving plant harvesting and processing, and earth-based living skills

Melaina Patenaude, MA
(she/her)

Georgian Bay Métis plant specialist, wild-crafter, and medicine maker with a reverence for the traditional knowledge about plants, food systems, and ecology that was passed down to her.

Georgian Bay Métis plant specialist and medicine maker with a reverence for the traditional knowledge passed to her about plants, food systems, and ecology.

Rocky Courtoreille - Cross River staff for youth and Indigenous cultural education programs

Rocky Courtoreille
(he/him)

Cree/Iroquois/French member of Driftpile First Nation and skilled social worker who values the opportunity to connect through humour, and make a difference in the lives of youth.

Cree/Iroquois/French member of Driftpile First Nation and skilled social worker who values connecting through humour and making a difference in the lives of youth.

Delmar Williams - Cross River staff for land-based education programs and Indigenous cultural sharing

Delmar Williams
(he/him)

Squamish/Lil’wat skills practitioner, hunter, archer, fisher, harvester, and ACMG hiking guide who trains youth, adults, and teachers in ancestral skills, knowledges, and resourcefulness.

Squamish/Lil’wat skills practitioner, hunter, archer, fisher, harvester, and ACMG hiking guide who trains youth and adults in ancestral skills, knowledges, and resourcefulness.

Teresa Fritz - Cross River staff for hospitality and guest services

Teresa Fritz
(she/her)

Settler Canadian cook, hospitality artisan, mother, and nature lover whose mission is to create community and connection through thoughtful and shared meals and experiences.

Settler Canadian cook, hospitality artisan, mother, and nature lover whose mission is to create community and connection through thoughtful meals and experiences.


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Cross River - rocky mountain cabins and retreats for hiking, rafting, biking, yoga, land-based education, and cultural learning

Cabins. Recreation. Education.

In the Canadian Rocky Mountains,
next to Kootenay National Park
Tel: (+1) 403 800 2564 

Em: info@crossriver.ca

Stay up to date

Get our emails. Three to six updates, thoughts, or messages per year about Cross River life and work to feed your mind and soul at home.

  • About Us
  • Our Facility
  • Our Meals
  • Our Area
  • Contact Us
  • FAQ
  • Cabin Accommodations
  • Outdoor Recreation
  • Outdoor Education
  • Activities List
  • Learning Library
  • Awards & Testimonials
Cross River - rocky mountain cabins and retreats for hiking, rafting, biking, yoga, land-based education, and cultural learning

Cabins. Recreation. Education.

In the Canadian Rocky Mountains,
next to Kootenay National Park
Tel: (+1) 403 800 2564 

Em: info@crossriver.ca

Stay up
to date

Get our emails. Three to six updates, thoughts, or messages per year about Cross River life and work to feed your mind and soul at home.

  • About Us
  • Our Facility
  • Our Meals
  • Our Area
  • Contact Us
  • FAQ
  • Cabin Accommodations
  • Outdoor Recreation
  • Outdoor Education
  • Activities List
  • Learning Library
  • Awards & Testimonials
Cross River - rocky mountain cabins and retreats for hiking, rafting, biking, yoga, land-based education, and cultural learning

Cabins. Recreation. Education.

In the Canadian Rocky Mountains,
next to Kootenay National Park
Tel: (+1) 403 800 2564 

Em: info@crossriver.ca