Our Beginning
Back in 2012, I was working one of those corporate jobs that paid well but left me feeling... empty, you know? Spent way too much time in glass towers and not enough time actually living. My doctor kept telling me to slow down, but it wasn't until a particularly rough winter that I finally listened.
I came up to Whistler for what was supposed to be a long weekend. Found this old property that'd been sitting vacant for years - overgrown, a bit rough around the edges, but man, the view took my breath away. Something about standing there, surrounded by those ancient cedars, just felt right.
Took me nearly three years to transform this place. Worked alongside local builders, got my hands dirty more times than I can count. We kept as many original timber beams as we could salvage, incorporated jade stone from the nearby creek into the design. Wasn't trying to build some fancy resort - I wanted to create the kind of place where folks could actually disconnect and breathe again.
"The mountains taught me that real luxury isn't about thread count or champagne - it's about finding peace in simplicity."
My background's in hospitality management, but honestly, running Jade Crest has taught me more than any textbook ever did. Every guest who leaves here a little lighter, a little more centered - that's what keeps me going. We're not perfect, and we don't try to be. This place has character, quirks, and a whole lot of heart.
- Elena Marchmont, Founder & Proprietor
Our Journey
2012
Elena stumbles upon the property during a personal retreat. The land had been sitting untouched since the '80s - fourteen acres of pure mountain beauty that nobody seemed to want. She made an offer within a week.
2013-2014
Restoration phase begins. Working with local craftsmen and architects who understood the vision - keeping it authentic, using sustainable materials, respecting the land. Lot of late nights, lot of coffee, lot of problem-solving on the fly.
2015
Soft opening with just six suites. Those first guests were basically guinea pigs - bless them for being patient while we figured things out. The spa wasn't even finished yet, but people loved the raw, unpolished vibe.
2017
Added the wellness center and expanded our dining program. Started partnering with local farms - turned out our chef knew everyone worth knowing in the valley. That's when things really clicked into place.
2019
Opened the event pavilion after countless requests for weddings and small gatherings. Designed it to basically disappear into the forest - all glass and reclaimed wood. It's become our guests' favorite spot.
2022-Present
Launched our sustainability initiatives - solar panels, water conservation systems, zero-waste kitchen program. It's ongoing work, honestly. We're learning as we go, trying to do better every season.
What We're Actually About
Look, we're not gonna pretend we've got all the answers. What we do have is a genuine love for this land and a real commitment to making sure people leave here feeling better than when they arrived. We keep things simple, honest, and rooted in nature. No gimmicks, no over-the-top luxury that feels fake. Just good food, comfortable spaces, and the kind of mountain air that clears your head. We respect the wilderness that surrounds us and try to give back more than we take. That's pretty much it - the rest is just details.