New Era Begins
(author Ken Chilibeck)

It has been quite a ride. Wife Lori built the beautiful Vagabond Lodge in only one year opening May 1 2004. Vagabond was a the first on-hill accommodation at brand  new Kicking Horse Mountain Resort.
We have welcomed guests from around the world for the past 21 years and have seen it all. A book is in the making.
Now it is time to pass the torch and the start of a new era. Jeremy Leonard CEO of Canada Pump and Power along with wife Carol are the proud new owners. For us, we won't be far away. Anyone have a couch we can crash on? I am sure we will be showing up regularly for 5pm wine with our friends who have been staying with us over the years. But now we won't have to go to bed early to make sure we are ok for doing breakfast.
Time for a new capture for this great building.

Founders

​Lori and Ken Chilibeck

Vagabond was their  dream.  The name's history is "Club Vagabond in Leysin Switzerland where both  spent some time back in in the 70's. Club Vagabond started as a climbing club in the 60's and backpackers from around the world made their way to "The Vag." It closed a number of years ago, but Ken and Lori  felt it was important  to keep the name going, therefore "Vagabond." 

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Vagabond Lodge History

Labour of Love


It was in the spring of 2003 the first shovel went into the ground to begin the build of this fabulous lodge.  
Lori basically did all the work as I was still living in Edmonton working for TSN.  But after 30 years in the media business and 20 years with TSN we both felt the time was ripe to begin a new journey. Our boys were grown up and on their own although our youngest Shane, lived here and worked on the building of Vagabond Lodge. 
The journey here began with a ski trip with friends Keith and Jim and a couple of their buddies.  Our first stop was Fernie,  then Panorama and our final stop was at Kicking Horse.
It was the first year the resort was open as Kicking Horse.   It was originally developed by a Dutch engineering company called Ballast Nedam.  10 years later it was sold to Resorts of the Canadian Rockies. 
​My first impression was getting off the gondola and seeing the Eagle's Eye Restaurant and the spectacular view.  I was sold. There was no resort in North America like it.
It took a couple more years before we were able to purchase a piece of property to build our lodge.  
​The bulk of the logs used in the construction were from our lot and were all hand pealed. 
​It was quite a project with Vagabond the first overnight accommodation at Kicking Horse Resort.
Lori was on-site from start to finish and on most nights her only company were the numerous bears who wandered through the area checking on her progress along with the other wildlife.
Along with some great craftsmen, friends, and family it took only 1 year to build.  Family  Shane, Kori, Elaine, and family friend Dave,  along with great craftsmen such as Gary, Wayne from Perth Australia(all the rock work) Vic, moral support and brandy from Byron,  along with local trades made it all possible. We even had one of the top former CFL defensive football players Doug Peterson working on our site.   What a job they all did and we thank them everyday.