Faith Dusevic
Special to the Star
A local lodge has taken on new owners. Hubert and Sonja Baier have passed Hillside Lodge & Chalets down to their daughter Stefanie Chomiak and their son-in-law Mark Chomiak.
“Mark and I took over the lodge on Aug. 1, this year,” Stefanie said.
Hillside Lodge & Chalets opened its doors after the Baiers moved to Canada from Germany in 1991. With the dream of opening a lodge, moving to Canada allowed their dream to come to fruition.
“If you have ever talked to anyone from Germany, you will know that everyone moving here dreams of having a bed and breakfast or cabins. [Hillside Lodge & Chalets] was one of the first B&Bs in the area.”
The Baier’s passion for their business reflected in their reputation as they grew into a bed and breakfast loved by all who visited. Stefanie and Mark decided to take the family business over in order to start a new chapter in their lives and allow Stefanie’s parents to do the same.
“We had been living in Calgary for awhile, so when we decided to get married here in September 2010, we loved it so much and realized what a beautiful property it is and how much we would enjoy this kind of lifestyle. Shortly after, in October, we told my parents we wanted to buy the lodge.”
Hillside Lodge & Chalets, which will be 20 years old in September, is located 13 km west of Golden and found just before Blaeberry River Bridge. The lodge has 10 cabins and two lodge rooms.
“We are open year round and are really excited to be doing this. We serve breakfast and dinner to our guests as well. We also have a beautiful Quonset which we converted into a wedding venue. This is where we got married.”
Hillside Lodge & Chalets promises those who stay there beautiful scenery and an experience unlike any hotel.
“Some people want to come out here and enjoy nature and the river a little bit more and just get away from the city.”
Stefanie and Mark would like to extend an invitation to the community to come out and visit the lodge for themselves.
“We know a lot of people in town haven’t heard of the lodge or seen it and it is important to us to be part of this community.”
The Baiers would like to thank the Golden community, their friends, contractors and business partners for the support given throughout the past 20 years. They greatly appreciate the help they have received.
If you would like more information on Hillside Lodge & Chalets, visit their website at www.hillsidechalets.com and drop by the lodge for a visit.
