Mountain Roots
Christian Taylor Transforms Historic Ski Lodge Into Modern Retreat…
Formerly known as the Der Wedelin Inn, the recently renovated Basecamp Lodge continues the property’s storied legacy of hospitality, offering Mount Shasta’s rustic charm in a secluded setting. “We are a cabin-hotel. We have self-contained cabins equipped with a full kitchen, bathroom, and, at the minimum, a king bed like a vacation rental, but there are also communal backyard spaces that give it more of a hotel feel,” explains one of the owners, Christian Taylor.
The location on the edge of town adds to the overall experience. “We are only a minute drive from town, or there’s the option to ride your bike or even walk into town if so desired. But then when you get back to the property, it’s so quiet. There’s no train noise like there can sometimes be in town. There’s a view of the mountain, and trees all around you. It definitely has that ‘I’m in the forest’ vibe that a lot of people are looking for when they come to Mount Shasta.”
The Der Wedelin Inn was originally built by well-known local entrepreneur Pat Murdoch, who first moved to Mount Shasta to build the original ski park in the old ski bowl. When he later built the lodge, it became the destination for the apres-ski. “It was the closest lodging, restaurant and bar to the old ski resort, and offered nightly accommodations. During the remodel, we had a lot of old-timers telling us stories about when it was the hotspot back in the day. Back then, Murdoch also had a company called Mt. Shasta Ski Safaris where he would use a big Ski Cat to tow people from the lodge up to 11,000 feet. He’d drop them off so they could ski all the way down. Then, if they wanted to go again, he’d take them back up.”
Taylor says much attention in the remodel was paid to honoring the Lodge’s history. “Our goal was more to clean up and simplify the property, bring in new finishings and really open up the backyard. We tried to keep a lot of the original wood features and update the space with new metal and concrete to give an attractive modern mountain aesthetic.” According to Taylor, the best evidence of the old lodge can still be found in Cabin Four, the old restaurant and bar. “When it was in operation, people were allowed to carve and burn their names into the posts, ceilings and walls. We kept all of that. So, when you enter the cabin, you’ll see thousands of names and carvings. It’s always fun when people come and show me where they carved their name way back when.”
Because every unit has a full kitchen, the property is well-suited for families. “Most of our cabins can flex into space for four, or you can get ones with multiple bedrooms. One cabin can hold nine. A lot of people in bigger groups rent out multiple cabins and take advantage of the great communal space in the backyard. There are picnic tables and outdoor dining areas with barbecues, hammocks and a grass area to hang out.” And, while zoning doesn’t allow for weddings on the property, it is possible to do a group buyout. “Basecamp can sleep up to 34 people, which can sometimes be hard to find spaces that accommodate that. One of my favorite things are family reunions where the whole family comes together. It feels in keeping with the spirit of place.”
Since opening their doors in late 2021, Taylor says the response to Basecamp Lodge has been overwhelmingly positive, with lots of rave reviews. And he loves seeing so many other businesses also currently thriving in town. But he’s not surprised. “Mount Shasta has everything Tahoe has – without the crowds. People come to do whatever they’re going to do depending on the season, whether it’s snow-based or summer-based. It could be climbing Mt. Shasta, paddling, trail running or hiking. There are amazing forests, lakes and trails. There’s a nice ski resort with a lot to offer in a small package, and great back country skiing. The mountain also provides a nice cool down every day, particularly in the summer months. But whatever adventure it is that people come for, I feel our job is to create an amazing spot that’s comfortable, equipped with everything anyone would need, and accentuates those vibes that make you want to come back next time.”
Basecamp Lodge
www.basecampmtshasta.com
