“Best Wilderness Hotel in Canada”
🥇 CANADIAN BUSINESS AWARDS
-BEST WILDERNESS HOTEL IN CANADA 2024-
“Little Wolf Resort – British Columbia”
has been recognized and approved as
“Best Wilderness Hotel in Canada”
in 2024.
“Best Business in Canada”
🥇 CANADIAN BUSINESS REVIEW BOARD
– MULTIPLE AWARD WINNER –
-BEST BUSINESS IN CANADA 2022-
-BEST BUSINESS IN CANADA 2023-
-BEST BUSINESS IN CANADA 2024-
“Little Wolf Resort – British Columbia”
has been recognized and approved as one of the
“Best Businesses in Canada”
in 2022, 2023 and in 2024.
“Hotel of the Year in Canada”
🥇 PRESTIGE AWARDS
– MULTIPLE AWARD WINNER –
-HOTEL OF THE YEAR IN CANADA 2020-
-HOTEL OF THE YEAR IN CANADA 2021-
-HOTEL OF THE YEAR IN CANADA 2022-
-HOTEL OF THE YEAR IN CANADA 2023-
“HIDDEN LUXURY IN THE WILDERNESS”
“Little Wolf Resort – British Columbia” was winning the Canadian Prestige Awards, being recognized as:
„Hotel of the Year“ in Canada in 2020
– International Prestige Awards –
„Hotel of the Year“ in Canada in 2021
– International Prestige Awards –
„Hotel of the Year“ in Canada in 2022
– International Prestige Awards –
„Hotel of the Year“ in Canada in 2023
– International Prestige Awards –
An interview with:
PHILIP VON DER BURG
» Your iconic log cabin style guesthouse has been featured on popular TV channels around the world such as National Geographic. What inspired the design and construction concept?
The design concept of Little Wolf Resort combines luxurious elegance and pure natural beauty. It was inspired and predetermined by the natural growth and diversity, as well as by the individual appearance of every tree that was used in its construction. Each one is a rare jewel of the forest, showing natural character and beauty. These characteristic trees were carefully selected and collected over years and finally compiled into a natural artwork. The entrance of the resort features four giant red cedars and a curved arch. These unique beauties developed a twisted growth to be resistant against exposure to strong winds. The mighty, over 1,000-year-old red cedar burl is one of the principal design elements of the hotel.
The interior also showcases elements that were inspired by the wilderness setting of the resort, surrounded by glacial creeks and the churning Skeena River. A white and blue Brazilian Azul granite slab with white quartz veins reflects a spring connected to a white quartz pebble river that runs through the entire main hall of Little Wolf. The original Burgundian medieval stone fireplace from the 11th century gives this area a magical and romantic atmosphere. It emanates warmth from the crackling flames and sheds atmospheric light, serving as a focal gathering point. A huge forked cedar tree is supporting the staircase and giant flared beams as well as pleated, mighty posts in the main hall, giving the feeling of walking through an ancient old growth rainforest.
» The Skeena River Valley in which your resort is based is considered to be something of a paradise for keen anglers and fishermen. In what ways does Little Wolf cater specifically to this type of guest?
The Skeena River system, and its tributaries, are known to be one of the most famous regions for salmon and steelhead fishing in the world. As one of the highlights, exclusively and free of charge for guests, Little Wolf offers excellent, remote flyfishing opportunities on its private riverbanks. In collaboration with a careful selection of local guided operations, the resort additionally provides one of the most varied flyfishing programmes and excursions to all river systems of the region.
Another outstanding highlight is our exclusive flyfishing and sightseeing helicopter tour to remote and untouched areas, starting directly on the helicopter landing field of the resort. Furthermore, Little Wolf Resort can offer salt- water fishing for halibut, red snapper, salmon, shrimp and crab on the scenic Pacific Ocean, in front of Prince Rupert and Kitimat. More excellent locations, such as the world- famous Copper, Kalum, and Kasiks rivers, as well as the Kispiox River and Bulkley River, are close by.
» What are the Sacred Headwaters?
The Sacred Headwaters are the source of three wild salmon rivers, the Skeena River, the Nass River and Stikine River. This system, surrounding Little Wolf Resort, is one of the last remaining intact biotopes of the world, like the Serengeti in Africa, with a significant variety of wildlife. This mountainous, indigenous rainforest territory is home to bears, wolves, caribou, stone sheep, moose, as well as spawning salmon.
» Are there any other special or unique points of interest in the regions surrounding the resort?
Little Wolf is the ideal base for excursions to glacial lakes for swimming activities, to salmon spawning grounds on local rivers, to canyons, waterfalls, drowned forests, old growth giant spruce tree parks, glaciers, lava-fields with a volcanic crater, hot springs, and disappearing rivers, that run partly underground in lava tubes. Cultural points of interest are historic native villages and attractions, indigenous hook and net salmon fishing in steep and dangerous canyons, historic fish wheels and breathtaking, swinging suspension bridges and totem poles, as well as native museums showing some of the most important collections of Northwest Coast Aboriginal Art.
» How do you cater to couples looking for a private and romantic getaway?
Little Wolf Resort is an ideal destination for couples looking for a romantic getaway. In the early morning mist, listening to the whistling of the birds, the whispering of the trees and the rushing wild river, couples can enjoy the start of their day with a fresh hot cup of early morning tea or coffee, while watching wildlife activities and the sunrise on their own private outdoor balcony, surrounded by snow-capped mountains. Upon request, couples are invited to enjoy a private outdoor breakfast under the eagle head carving in the exterior dining area. Adventurers might prefer Little Wolf’s Mountain Peak Picnic, taking their basket, jumping into the helicopter in front of their guest suite and taking off for a scenic flight to enjoy breakfast on top of a mountain. The fly out tours take guests to remote, untouched river systems, glittering waterfalls or to glacial mountain lakes. Additionally, scenic drift boat tours on the Kitimat River, whale watching tours on the Pacific Ocean or tours to the Grizzly Bear Sanctuary can be arranged.
Furthermore, we can offer rental cars for guests who would like to undertake their own daily excursions, with an interesting choice of local tourist attractions and pure wilderness to explore. Local hot springs and glacial lakes can be visited for swimming. Couples can relax and enjoy the remote hotel, with three miles of private riverfront, hiking trails through the mighty old growth rainforest, and multiple secluded sand beaches and pebble bars. Here, guests can celebrate the colourful sunset on the river, with a glass of wine or champagne in hand.
» How do you strike the right balance between wilderness adventures and the luxurious amenities of an upscale resort?
Little Wolf Resort is where wilderness and luxury live in perfect harmony. Our resort offers the best of both worlds, with an extensive adventure and wilderness programme in one of the remotest, untouched regions of the world, as well as relaxation in a secluded and comfortable atmosphere. After each daily adventure, guests can take a refreshing rain-shower in the Italian marble appointed bathrooms and relax in private, luxurious guest suites. Wireless internet is available in the rooms and in the main house of the resort. The restaurant offers daily hot breakfast, lunch, as well as coffee and tea throughout the day and exclusive meals in the evening. In the Steamboat Anchor Bar, we serve a fine selection of alcoholic beverages, exclusive wines, as well as locally brewed draft beers and champagne. The main hall is an excellent gathering place where guests can relax by the big, open fireplace. The bar and the restaurant offer two separate dining areas with panoramic windows and a spectacular view over the dramatic natural vistas, including two separate buffet sections, as well as multiple comfortable outdoor sitting areas.
» What type of cuisine can guests expect to find at Little Wolf?
Our commercial kitchen serves local specialties and traditional indigenous food combined with the finest international culinary recipes. The freshly prepared, traditionally smoked or plank cooked wild salmon is famous all over the world. The menu features a broad selection of items: delicious starters and main courses, a variety of amazing local seafood, from halibut to a choice of fresh salmon courses, Alaskan king crab and Dungeness crab, delicious hand-cut steaks, ribs, lamb chops, western-style charcoal barbecues and roasted poultry, as well as sumptuous homemade desserts and ice cream with local wild berries.
We serve a wide range of exclusive spirits, whiskey and champagne, a variety of beers, as well as a selection of fruit juices and non-alcoholic beverages. Our wine list features some of the finest red and white wines, including exclusive vintages from the Napa Valley, California, the Okanagan Valley, British Columbia and the Western Cape, South Africa.
» Fishing aside, what other wildlife encounters are possible during a stay at the resort?
The area of the surrounding Great Bear Rainforest is the home of the white Kermode bear, also called the spirit bear. There are only a few individuals of this species in existence today. The spirit bear is therefore highly protected. First Nations never hunted or even spoke of these rare animals to fur trappers. On your walk down to the riverbanks of the resort you may encounter the white spirit bear or the black bear, fishing for spawning salmon, as well as eagles, beavers, deer and moose.
The local sockeye salmon spawning grounds are located on a small river close to the resort. When the returning salmon reach the spawning grounds, their blue-ish and silver colour turns to bright red. Furthermore, whale watching adventure tours on the Pacific Ocean can be arranged. You can expect to see seals, otters, eagles, sea lions, orca whales, white-sided dolphins, as well as giant humpback whales, who feed in front of Prince Rupert before their migration to the warm waters of Hawaii. An additional highlight is the tour to the Khutzeymateen Grizzly Bear Sanctuary, in one of British Columbia’s northern glacial fjords with steep cliffs and thick forests. Additionally, the resort offers eco-tours for wildlife films and photography.
» Is there anything else you would like to add?
Little Wolf Resort is often visited by curious globetrotters, who thought that they had already seen everything in this world. It is also a destination for adventure travellers, who want to explore the nature and wildlife of the world-famous Great Bear Rainforest and Northern British Columbia’s Pacific coast. It is a paradise for experienced fly-fishermen, dreaming of untouched rivers, trophy sized wild salmon and the biggest steelhead trout on Earth. It is a secret hideaway for clientele looking for a unique location for special events, wedding ceremonies, and family gatherings. Little Wolf is certainly a couple-friendly destination for world travellers with high demands, where an extensive wilderness tour programme, the comfortable and unique, luxurious accommodation and the excellent cuisine signify an extraordinary experience!
