By Allyson Rogers, Founder of Siwash Lake Wilderness Resort
In the summer of 2017, British Columbia faced one of the worst wildfire seasons in its history. For me, it was not just another natural disaster in the news, it was the firestorm that threatened to erase my family’s legacy and everything I had built as the founder of Siwash Lake Wilderness Resort & Ranch.
When the flames closed in on our property, many around us evacuated. I made a different decision. I could not abandon our horses, nor the land my family had stewarded for four generations. With little more than grit, instinct, and the support of a small team, I stayed. We fought back the fire long enough to save the heart of the ranch: the main lodge, our beloved barn and corrals, and the staff camp. All the surrounding wilderness burned, except for a few small green refugia patches. The majority of our resort structures were lost. More than half the buildings were gone, but the soul of Siwash survived.
In the months that followed, I realised that survival alone was not enough. If Siwash Lake was to have a future, it had to be reimagined. Rather than rebuilding the past, I leaned into transformation. From the ashes, we set out to create one of Canada’s leading luxury eco-destinations, where regenerative tourism, equine experiences and discreet, high-end hospitality are enhanced by our Star Camp. Opened in 2019, this ridge-top glamping retreat features custom tents with skylights for stargazing from bed, wood-fired cedar soaker tubs, and an observatory platform equipped with SkyMaster Pro binoculars. Located within our private Dark Sky Reserve, it gives guests a rare chance to experience the night sky in extraordinary clarity.
Today, Siwash Lake welcomes only a handful of guests at a time. Each visitor is paired with a personal horse and guide to explore more than 100 kilometres of wilderness trails. They learn about the ecosystem, much of it still in active renewal from the fire, and they witness firsthand how resilience looks in nature – wildflower meadows bursting with fireweed, aspen groves pushing skyward, and pioneer species reclaiming charred ground. Even our cuisine tells this story, with ingredients foraged from the land and food raised on our ranch.
The fire was a turning point. It forced me to shift from operating a “sustainable” lodge to building a regenerative model, one that actively heals and gives back more than it takes. We created the Wildland Ecology Centre, deepened our wellness programming with outdoor yoga and nature immersion, and renewed our commitment to operating off-grid. Every decision we make now asks: will this contribute to the land’s long-term health, and will it enrich the experience of our guests in meaningful ways?
As a female entrepreneur and rancher, I have never sought the spotlight. My leadership style is rooted in stewardship and responsibility, not publicity. Yet the recognition Siwash Lake has since earned, from Forbes, The Wall Street Journal, and Condé Nast, to awards like Biosphere Platinum and Canada’s Signature Experiences, tells me that our story resonates far beyond these hills.
What I have learned is this: crisis doesn’t have to be the end. It can be the beginning of something greater. By leading with instinct, values, and a willingness to reinvent, I was able to turn one of the darkest chapters of my life into the foundation for an even stronger, more purposeful future.
Siwash Lake rose from the fire. And in many ways, so did I.
