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Inside The Industry » Valemount, British Columbia
A business adventure
Lisa Levasseur is one of the few people
who can make a living doing what they love
by KIRSTEN ARMLEDER
ONE OF THE BOYS: Lisa Levasseur's love for sleds, ATVs and horses has helped her cope with health challenges.
A SLICE OF HEAVEN: Tim Bartaux (L) and Pat Godin enjoy a bluebird day on Bell Mountain in the Mount Robson/Fraser River Valley; these guys are part of the Terracana Outlaw Posse—local sledders who, on the weekends, hand out 100 Terracana dollars to anyone they come across that has a Terracana sticker on their sled, truck or trailer.
—Photos courtesy Lisa Levasseur
Name: Lisa Levasseur
Position/company: General manager of Terracana Ranch Resort in Valemount, B.C.
Services: All-Inclusive sledding packages, riverside log cabins, a full-service restaurant and bar, and spa massage therapy—with mountain riding adventure guiding and rentals coming soon.
Past lives: I spent eight years working in California at one of the top Arabian training stables. I bought and sold horses and property with my dad and we started Excella Arabians Training Stable in Stony Plain, Alberta. Then, I was crippled through work, injury and disease; I went through a couple of surgeries and eventually realized training horses was not an option anymore.
I had initiated and invested in Warehouse Billiards in Stony Plain, Alberta, so I started managing it and my brother and I bought out our partners and opened a second location in Spruce Grove. I also volunteered as much time as possible at our corporate head office but I crippled myself again and sold out. After another surgery, I started working for my dad managing the construction of Thorton Court Hotel in downtown Edmonton.
How did you get started? A German family developed the property about 20 years ago with local contractors, including my neighbour, but eventually they shut it down. My dad always wanted a ranch resort—maybe with my love for horses in mind. He ran accross Terracana and bought it when our company was dealing on the Canoe Mountain project about seven years ago. Terracana went through a number of managers during the first couple of years and I was sent to put the right staff in place; after that, I refused to leave.
What is the property like? In the winter, it’s all about sledding and we do our best to cater to sledders with everything they need—like fuel, a storage facility, heated shop, Mac’s Small Engine Repair, drying room, avalanche courses, safety equipment rentals, all-you-can-eat buffets with hot packed lunches for the trail, massage therapy, entertainment with games room, big screens and sledding DVDs, and snow conditions on our website (www.terracana.com). We have more ideas in the works, such as developing housing lots so people can buy into and share this lifestyle.
How would you describe your relationship with your customers? Fun and very rewarding. We’ve had a tough time getting this place off the ground and they’ve really supported us and helped out. Can you imagine some of them even giving up play time to do things like build fences or round up cattle? What can I say—I love them!
What do you like most about your job? The people. But I have to say I wouldn’t enjoy my job if it weren’t for all the support from the awesome staff I have—they are a big part of it all, as is my dad.
How often do you ride sleds, ATVs and horses? Not as often as I’d like, but plenty considering I’m supposed to be in a wheelchair.
Where are the best places to snowmobile around Valemount/McBride? On a bluebird day with fresh powder, any area is good. Horsey Creek next to Terracana is a favourite—just because I made it in there, which was no small feat to say the least. Not having been to the Oasis, Chapple or Westridge areas yet, I have to say I like Clemina since I can’t get lost and it has all types of terrain that everyone can enjoy.
In McBride, the Renshaw is by far my favourite. The area is huge so you can go for miles and not see anyone; there is almost always untracked snow and, again, it has all types of terrain. The conditions can vary considerably from mountain to mountain, so I’d say go for the best snow and weather—and Terracana is right in the middle so you can head to Valemount or McBride.
Describe your community: The economies here are depressed but the lifestyle is rich with all the beauty that surrounds. Generally, the people here understand what is valuable in life and they’d give you the shirt off their back.
