The McManus Family

Canadian Adventure Company’s Mallard Mountain Lodge is family owned and operated. With many years of experience operating adventure tours in western Canada, and a passion for the remote backcountry of British Columbia, our family began developing the Punch Bowl area of the Rocky Mountains, where Mallard Mountain Lodge is located, in the late 1990’s. Derek and Barbara McManus, and their two sons, Jason and Paul, take care of all aspects of the operation, whether in the office, taking care of the lodge, or out skiing & hiking with the guests.

Our family has been hiking and skiing together in the mountains for our entire lives, and share a desire to create and share such experiences with each and every guest to create lifelong memories and experiences.

Derek & Barbara:

Derek McManus has been skiing since he was 5, and in the backcountry since he was 12. He is one of the original pioneers of the backcountry ski industry in British Columbia, having in 1979 started one of the first three snow-cat skiing operations in the world. After pursuing some other career needs and focusing on raising a family, Derek was eventually called back to the mountains, and in the late 1990’s Canadian Adventure Company was born.

Barbara is the true matriarch of the family, quietly and intently taking care of all the finer details to keep things moving along smoothly in the background. It is her support, kindness and care that is evident in everything she does.

Derek and Barbara have lived on the Shuswap Lake in the interior of BC since 1981, where they raise llamas and alpacas on their farm.

Jason McManus & Paul McManus

Jason and Paul are the second generation of the McManus Family and have been on skis and hiking since they were able to walk. Having spent the majority of their lives in the mountains, either working or playing, this passion is what inspires and challenges them to create a unique and special experience for each and every guest.