The Chalet at Cormack - Chatting with Andrew & Pete

Andrew and Pete, how did the idea for The Chalet at Cormack come about?

Pic: Pete Ledrew (l) and Andrew Power (r), new owners/operators of the Chalet at Cormack.

Well, we are avid snowmobilers ourselves for the past number of years and have been heading to the prime snowmobiling conditions of the west coast of Newfoundland.  Therefore, the chalet met our needs wonderfully!  However, we further wanted to be able to share this adventure destination with other snowmobilers that were coming to the west coast and looking for an accommodation that could hold large groups.  We began with our slogan and idea- The Chalet at Cormack, “your adventure gateway”. With the chalet being set as a home base, guests could partake in the numerous adventures that the west coast of NL has to offer. This includes summer activities such as Gros Morne hiking, kayaking, golf courses, salmon fishing, ziplining and so much more.  Further to that, outdoor winter enthusiasts could adventure to the world class ski resort at Marble Mountain, a short distance away, or take advantage of the well-groomed trails and backcountry snow conditions for every snowmobiler's dream.  The chalet itself is a warm, log cabin feel that will give guests all the amenities that you have at home and be able to share it with family and friends as well.

Pic: View from the rear of the Chalet and the BBQ hut on the right.

For a winter fan, why is The Chalet at Cormack ideally situated as a staging and stay place?

 The Chalet at Cormack is ideally situated in the heart of snowmobile country on the West coast of Newfoundland, the town of Cormack. Being able to bring your trailer, park it in our oversized parking lot, unload your machines and leave directly from the chalet is a benefit that many snowmobilers look for in an accommodation. White River Road trail access point is minutes from the chalet and from there you can access all trails and backcountry adventures.

Pic: Leaving from the door at The Chalet and accessing the backcountry and Gros Morne National park.

Ideally, having your stay at the chalet paired with a catering option, snowmobilers can have a traditional breakfast, trail lunch and after a long day on the trails, a hot cooked meal would be waiting for you when you get back. Later that night you could go for a soak and relax in our 6 person hot tub before hitting the trails again the next day.

Pic: After a great day exploring, relax in the 6-person hot tub. 

For those with their own culinary skills we have a well stocked kitchen along with a separate BBQ hut for those die hard barbeque folks in the snowy winter conditions. 

Pic: the Chalet can easily handle groups sizes of 12 

Having 5 bedrooms and 4 baths, the chalet provides guests the entire accommodation to enjoy and more than enough room for large groups to store and dry their gear for the next day. 

When you took over your facility, how did you have snowmobilers in mind?

 When the opportunity to purchase the chalet presented itself, our initial thoughts were not on a business or an accommodation venue, our mindset was to purchase a smaller cabin for our own personal use.  We had been snowmobiling on the west coast for years and we wanted a location that would give us access to prime snowmobiling conditions. 

Therefore, once we got the lay of the land, so to speak, and the chalet presented itself, we thought we could then provide premium affordable accommodations to fellow snowmobilers that travelled to these parts of Newfoundland. When the decision was made to purchase the chalet, we wanted to ensure the guest experience was superior and the goal was to provide guests with all they would need during a snowmobiling trip. Whatever is needed, whether a trail guide, catering for meals, or even pick up groceries in Deer Lake, contact us, we can arrange and make it happen. A one stop place where you can book all that is needed for your stay.  This allows guests to enjoy the snowmobiling and take the other stresses away. The chalet’s proximity to Deer Lake for grocery stores and other amenities, being easily accessible by vehicle and having access to groomed snowmobile and backcountry trails was of utmost importance to us.

 Who’s typically staying with you during the winter?

Pic: Andrew Power enjoying a day in the Backcountry...leaving from the door is awesome.

Typically, during the winter, we have large groups of snowmobilers staying with us. We host groups of friends, family, and couples as well. Heading into our second snowmobile season, we are happy to see many guests from last year rebooking with us.

 Anything new for the 2024 season?

 For the upcoming 2024 season we are looking to push our amenities such as trail guides to get to those well-known adventure locations, catering options such as traditional breakfasts, trail lunches and home cooked meals or even we can do your grocery pick up at nearby Deer Lake.

 Furthermore, we look forward to stocking some parts on site in the unfortunate case that you may break down or are in need of a part, such as spark plugs, A-arms, Oil, etc.

 In years to come, we want to be able to put together and create a larger snowmobiler guided run event called, the “The Mid-Winter Boil-up” which would be inclusive of all accommodations in the Cormack area with the idea of bringing more snowmobilers to the wonderful snowmobile staging area of Cormack.

Click below to learn or book.