Our Story - Emberthorn Legacy Hotel | Historic Mountain Resort

Since 1927

Where It All Started

Look, we're not gonna tell you some fairy tale about how perfect everything was from day one. Back in '27, my great-grandfather Theodore Emberthorn built this place with his bare hands and a whole lot of stubbornness. The man wanted a refuge in the mountains - somewhere folks could escape the noise of city life.

Started as just a 12-room lodge, honestly. Nothing fancy. But Theodore had this thing about hospitality - he'd stay up till midnight making sure every guest felt at home. That spirit? It's still here, believe it or not.

These days we've got 87 rooms, a proper spa, and yeah, we've added WiFi (took some convincing), but the bones of this place... they're still Theodore's vision.

The Journey

Nearly a hundred years of mountain memories

1927 - The Foundation

Theodore breaks ground on what locals called "that crazy mountain project." Twelve rooms, one dining hall, and a fireplace big enough to roast a small bear. The first winter nearly broke him - pipes froze, roof leaked, but somehow 23 guests showed up and fell in love with the place anyway.

1952 - The Expansion Era

Theodore's daughter Margaret takes over and she's got ideas. Adds the west wing (32 more rooms), installs the first phone line, and somehow convinces her father that indoor plumbing in every room isn't "spoiling the guests." The old man comes around eventually. Post-war boom brings families from all over BC.

1978 - Ski Season Begins

Whistler's becoming THE place for skiing, and we're sitting right here. Margaret's son Robert adds the equipment rental shop and starts partnering with local guides. Business goes through the roof. We're hosting Olympic hopefuls, Hollywood types trying to stay low-key (spoiler: they never do), and families who've been coming here for generations.

1995 - Restoration & Renewal

Nearly 70 years in, and some parts were showing their age (being polite here). We closed for six months - first time ever - and did a complete restoration. Kept every original beam, every piece of Theodore's craftsmanship. Added modern comforts without losing the soul. Some guests cried when they saw what we'd done. Good tears, thankfully.

2010 - Wellness Arrives

Fourth generation takes the reins (that's me, actually - Catherine Emberthorn). Added the spa and wellness center because, let's face it, après-ski isn't just about whiskey anymore. Though we've still got plenty of that too. The spa uses local pine and cedar - smells like the forest came inside.

2025 - Still Growing

We're hosting conferences now, weddings happen here every season, and somehow we've become a destination for folks from around the world. But walk through our lobby at 6 AM, and you'll still find me making coffee for early risers, same as my great-grandfather did. Some things shouldn't change.

The Philosophy Thing

Alright, so every hotel's gotta have their "philosophy" page, right? Here's ours, straight up: we think hospitality should feel like you're visiting family. The cool relatives who actually want you there.

We've got luxury - sure. The rooms are gorgeous, the restaurant's amazing (try the elk, seriously), and the spa'll fix whatever the mountain broke. But what we're really about? Making sure you've got stories to tell when you leave.

Theodore used to say "comfort without pretension." Still holds up almost 100 years later. We're fancy when it matters and down-to-earth when it counts.