Elvis is Coming

Feb 27

Written By Excerpt from the Sol Mountain Ledger

Excerpt from the Sol Mountain Ledger

The sign says it all: Answer the Call of the Monashees with a backcountry trip to our mountain retreat. The allure is real, and access is easy - and interesting. You’ll be in good company.

Winter staging to our Sol backcountry ski lodge begins in the tiny community of Cherryville, a hamlet tucked into a curve along the road between Vernon and Nakusp. Our landmark meeting place is the golf course. You’ll know it by the sign. And the vibe.

Mountain Retreat

The Roadhouse is defined by its owner, Brian Gatzke. A giant of a man, Brian is the quiet kind of legend who attracts international visitors simply by being himself. He played competitive indoor and beach volleyball, but his heart beats to the four-four rhythm of rock and roll at its finest. The Roadhouse is Brian’s venue for sharing and caring about music, people, community, recreational golf and motorcycles. His coffee can put hair on the teeth of a cat, and the photos on the wall tell more stories than one pre-ski trip breakfast can accommodate.

Brian’s connection to the Shuswap/Monashee area goes back generations. The Gatzke family have been farmers here since 1929, by accident rather than design. According to family lore, first-generation Leo Gatzke fell asleep on a train, missed his stop and landed in Oyama. Surrounded by rich, fertile land and out of money, the original farmer found himself at the end of the line and the beginning of his legacy. The story has a bluesy ring to it, an undertone of circumstance and opportunity. One could say it set the mood.

call of the monashees sign, the mountains are calling

The Call of the Monashees

Brian’s establishment is a milestone and waypoint for anyone on the highway, but the true story is that the Roadhouse is a destination on its own. Legendary jam sessions have taken place inside the clubhouse. The décor is instruments, motorcycle memorabilia and photos. Many celebrities have stopped by and felt at home. Last winter, country music artist Dierks Bentley dropped in for lunch and had a casual meal with the locals. He fit right in.

Small places pack a big punch. Brian and the Roadhouse are a portal into the Sol Mountain fold. From this point on, the journey toward the call of the Monashees is real. Trust the adventure.