Keefer Lake has been Jeff's dream to create since he was a teenager. Jeff's dad took him and his brother catskiing at the original cat skiing operation in the Selkirk Mountains. He was hooked immediately. He continued as a guest there for 7 years, and then after taking the required courses, applied to work as a tail guide. That was in 2000. Since then, he has continued his guiding career working at several different heli and cat operations throughout BC. In 2014, Jeff approached his father for support, and together they offered to purchase the tenure and property at Keefer Lake. Construction of the lodge started as soon as the snow melted in the summer of 2015. That winter, they opened the terrain for catskiing, and the dream became a reality. There has been no looking back since then, as the Gostlin family continues to expand and develop what Keefer has become today, a year round 5 star resort catering to ecotourism with a touch of class.
Jeff lives at the lodge year round, and is always happy to take you on a tour of the property and tell you his story. In the winter you find Jeff with his skis on with his dog Loki ready to show you the best lines out there. In the summer, he is usually soaking up the sun on the dock with his kids having a blast enjoying the lake and the energy of Keefer Lake.
Nicole (code name Ninja), could also be referred to as the Gatekeeper of Keefer Lake; if you have ever called or emailed us, you have already met her. Nicole is taking over our year-round reservations and is excited to add a couple of new faces to her team!
She is passionate about her family, community, local products, and green living. She loves to make people smile – Capricorn – and is here to do whatever she can to help ensure our guests have a truly magical experience!
Dave, (code name Vader) was born in beautiful Kelowna, BC. He started his ski career as soon as he could walk, at his local Mountain- Big White and is now a CSGA level 1 tail guide here at Keefer Lake. He loves his beautiful Husky, Leia (she’s a Princess) and likes to take her out on the mountain with him when time allows. He is proud to help carry on the family legacy of providing exceptional skiing and lodging in the winter along with a summer packed full of good times on the lake. He strives to be like Sly in “Over The Top”- If he has his hat on backwards look out …he’s the local arm-wrestling champion!
Brett, (code name Skywalker) is basically the MacGyver of Keefer Lake! He grew up in sunny Summerland B.C. and spent most of his time outdoors. Growing up on a cherry orchard allowed him to develop skillsets at an early age that he still utilizes today. He and his wife Jessica currently reside in Cherryville B.C. with endless adventures available by just walking out their front door. Around the lodge Brett is usually behind the scenes ensuring the power is on, water is flowing, and the lodge is warm, as well as a myriad of other things.
Sams Keefer experience started in 2017 when attending the first ever CSGA Level 1 course hosted at GKLL. Ever since then, he was hooked. Before coming to GKLL, he was a ski patroller for 5 seasons. When not skiing, you can find him taking people kayaking in the remote wilderness of the British Columbia coast.
A self-professed Jill-of-all trades, Shannon can be found doing anything around the resort from housekeeping, splitting wood, driving tractor and gardening to pouring drinks at the bar and serving up the kitchen’s delicious meals. When not "on the clock" she tries to spend as much time as possible living on the road in a restored 1970’s Boler trailer with her adventure accomplice, DJ Logger Chef Shaggz finding awesome new places to indulge in their passions for hiking, mountain biking, kayaking, camping and basically anything that keeps them outside and enjoying nature.
Shannon loves living and working at Keefer for its serenity and beauty, the diversity of the job and the cool people. She looks forward to always welcoming new guests and sharing with everyone why this place is so magical.
She is also rumored to be in a long-time hot n’ heavy with GOT’s Jason Momoa (it’s true) and notorious for starting the best hot tub dance parties!
Jeremie “Jalapeno” hails from Gatineau, Quebec. His love for snowboarding brought him to BC in 2008 and he’s been a resident of Nelson, BC for the past 10 years. At the end of the 2014 winter, Jeremie fractured his left kneecap snowboarding in a freeride competition called Wrangled the Chutes.
We first met Jalapeno when he was part of the crew that built the Black Bear Lodge known as Gostlin Keefer Lake Lodge.
After building the lodge Jeremie ventured to Peru to complete a 12-day Full transformational Ayahuasca retreat. From there he learned to confront his fear and enrolled into the Professional Photography program at the Centre for Arts & Technology in Kelowna, BC where he graduated with the best student award.
Soon after graduation Jeremie and Jeff were chatting together, and Jeff invited him to a tryout at Keefer for the photographer position during the catskiing season. Jeremie’s two weeks tryout turned into 4 weeks and every other winter after that.
Not only can he take good catskiing photos, but he’s also going to be dropping all the cliffs in sight with his camera gear on!
Since the spring of 2022, Jeremie is now Keefer Lake social media coordinator. We are inviting you to say hello to him on all of our platforms.