Profile information
Host rating
100 %
Last replied
18 Apr 2024
Reply rate
81.1 %
Usually responds within 34 days
Feedback
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Details
Description
Our 164-acre ranch is located halfway between the Pacific Coast and the Rocky Mountains, right on a beautiful wilderness lake in the Nicola Valley. We lie in the heart of British Columbia’s big Ranching country and are surrounded by vast forests, rolling hills and boundless prairies where beavers, bears, moose and pumas still roam.
The ranch is non commercial, non-profit and does not offer any vacation rentals or business activities. It is home to a small number of owners sharing what the ranch and its surroundings have to offer. What people have in common in our little lakeside community is a love for nature, the Western lifestyle and adventures of the great outdoors from fly-fishing and horseback riding to exploring the backcountry by ATV or by snowmobile in winter.
Types of help and learning opportunities
Gardening
DIY and building projects
Animal Care
Farmstay help
Creating/ Cooking family meals
Help around the house
General Maintenance
Help with Computers/ Internet
UN sustainability goals this host is trying to achieve
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
We feel that we can offer our workawayers a unique cultural exchange with a mixture of a traditional Canadian Ranch lifestyle combined with our European background. In addition our volunteers are usually from all corners of the world, so there is not only the cultural exchange between us and the workawayers but also amongst the volunteers while working and living together learning about each others traditions, customs and languages. Friendships have been created that last for years if not a lifetime.
There are many get-togethers throughout the year with common meals and BBQs where stories and experiences from Canada and other parts of the world are being shared, bringing different people and cultures together over good food!
Thanks to the lake community, workawayers can learn about the rich ranching history of the Nicola Valley going all the way back to the early days of the Canadian “Wild West” and the Ranch itself which was built in 1906 by a gentleman from Switzerland.
Our volunteers are able to learn a variety of things, according to their interests and abilities. People interested in animal care can take care of the daily barn duties which includes feeding and caring for our horses, goats and a miniature donkey. As a ranch, of course we can also offer to learn about Western riding or the use of farm machinery and farm work in general. We are always happy about suggestions for improvements and are thankful for ideas and the help to realize new projects. Nothing like a fresh set of eyes and an open mind!
We enjoy having volunteers on the ranch because we love to engage with people and learn from each other. We are thankful for everyone who wants to share a bit of their world with us and feel that everybody who comes and stays with us contributes to life on the ranch and makes this a unique place. We really appreciate being part of the workaway family and the positive energy that everybody brings to the ranch and our lives.
Help
Summer or winter, there’s always loads to do with a herd of 8 horses, 2 miniature goats and 20 chickens like mucking out stalls and paddocks, maintaining round pen, arena and fields.
However, you do not need to have experience with horses to volunteer at the Ranch. We always need help with general ranch maintenance like fencing, fixing gates, clearing riding and hiking trails, road maintenance, firewood, clean up of dead trees, landscaping, cutting lawns, gardening, painting and various projects. Also, a helping hand in and around the house cleaning and maintaining as well as assisting with get-togethers would be great.
Year round we are looking for helpers who have experience in carpentry, electrical, plumbing or automotive / machinery. We’re hoping to get a few projects done before the season changes, like building of a new and improved wood shelter / wood splitting site, new log / rail gates and help finishing a chicken coop for the newest additions to the Ranch.
Between April and October we are looking for experienced Western riders who are willing to stay for a longer period to help us with all horse related tasks in addition to the day-to-day chores at the Ranch. Please make sure to carry insurance that specifically covers you for horseback riding and horse related activities.
We can accommodate both couples and singles.
Languages
Languages spoken
German: Fluent
English: FluentThis host offers a language exchange
This host has indicated that they are interested in sharing their own language or learning a new language.
You can contact them directly for more information.
Accommodation
Accommodation is provided in single rooms or in a double room for a couple at the Main Lodge and in summer also in a small, freestanding cabin with a double bed for a couple with the use of a shower house.
What else ...
In their free time, our volunteers are welcome to try their hand at fly-fishing, take a canoe or boat to explore the lake and enjoy the most amazing sunsets while sitting around the fire pit over new S’mores recipes. From time to time we get to go out on ATV or snowmobile rides, visit local Rodeos or Western events. When snow blankets the Ranch and the lake freezes over, this turns into a winter playground for ice fishing, snow shoeing and once an ice rink is cleared on the lake there are usually a few fierce hockey games on the program.
If you are interested in a unique experience in the Canadian wilderness, enjoy nature and animals, appreciate the aspects of a remote lifestyle, are flexible and versatile, don't mind getting your hands dirty and bring along self-motivation and enthusiasm for work and life out here, please contact us.
After arrangements are made, you can take the bus to Merritt and we will pick you up there. We have a minimum stay of 3 weeks but do prefer longer stays and might even have the opportunity for a full summer / winter volunteer position if things work out.
No drugs, please!
A little more information
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
Space for parking camper vans
This host can provide space for campervans.
How many Workawayers can stay?
More than two
Hours expected
We ask for 25 hours of volunteer work per week in exchange for food and housing.
Feedback (37)
Feedback
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Accuracy of profile:
(4.9)
Cultural exchange:
(5.0)
Communication:
(5.0)
The… read more
Here everything is calm and peaceful, there is not a sound, except the howls of coyotes in the night and the sound of your footsteps in the fresh snow of early morning... ❄️
The charm of this place is undoubtedly linked to the happy band of volunteers with whom you can… read more
In the winter, this ranch turns into a winter wonderland! I’m so happy I had the chance to skate on the lake, go snowshoeing and snowmobiling, and have some cool… read more
We arrived on Friday 2nd July, and stayed until Monday 26th July a few days shy of a full month!
We were given a quick tour on our arrival, and chose to stay in the wrangler cabin nearest to the barn. The next day was straight into it, my partner was quickly put onto the… read more
Don't hesitate to apply, you won't regret!
During my stay here, I mainly did the house keeping which meant keeping common… read more
Alex and Helene are great hosts and are two of the best people I have met in Canada. They have done a wonderful job of keeping the ranch in pristine condition for so many years and… read more
From the very first day of their stay with us, they worked independently and self-reliantly and with their solid background, skill-set and work ethics, took a huge work load… read more
Helene & Alex are very helpful and friendly people and the best hosts we had so far.
We had a lot of fun working with Helene, Alex and the other volunteers, taking care of the animals and machinery of the ranch.
Accommodation is great and you have everything you need. Meals are prepared… read more
I had a wonderful time on the ranch, sorry I've taken so long to leave feedback : ).
As a note for other workaways the hours of work were very reasonable, usually split between morning and afternoon with a break in middle of the day. Mostly animal feeding/cleaning duties but also some light housekeeping. (If you are handy… read more
I staied three weeks in summer 2015 on this beautiful ranch with Alex and Helen and all the amazing animals and other volunteers. Even it was a short time, i felt home fast. I could learn alot and the time there was… read more
The Ranch is such a beautiful place, full of gorgeous spots and surrounded by an absolutely stunning landscape. The rooms are cozy and you feel home instantly! I had a great time working especially with their lovely horses and doing general barn chores and of course other daily tasks that were due… read more
I stayed there during fall and worked as a wrangler.
Some general things about the ranch: There's usually a fair bit of people around, which are
volunteering, especially during the main season (summer). Everybody has their own room
and the other facilities such as cook house, shower… read more
Alex and Helene are excellent hosts and really do their best that everyone feels comfortable.
The work never gets boring, there is always something to do. Alex and Helene trying that the work tasks fit to your experiences, wishes and… read more
These two are excellent hosts, warm, welcoming and incredibly generous. They've really thought of everything and know how to make things work. All of their reviews are completely accurate. The ranch is everything you can imagine and has all you could expect from a beautiful western country lakeside location. We had… read more
I hope the boys and especially Hershey and… read more
The Ranch offers a happy and positive environment. Work is safe and fun and always varied. Alex & Helene provide… read more
Michelle and Adi are extremely versatile and knowledgeable and will do an excellent job with any task. No… read more
The horses you get to ride are great, there are endless trails and… read more
I had a great time! Alex and Helene made my dream come true. :)
I got new friends and it is a very good working athmosphere at the ranch.
I love the horses and I'm looking forword to come back to this great place.
big hugs and all the best
Jacqui
