Eleven Experience : Bespoke Adventure Travel, Amplified
Amidst the world's most remote and breathtaking landscapes, luxury experiential travel brand Eleven Experience epitomises three of Y Travel’s favourite ‘Y Factors’ - Adventure, Taste, and The Unexpected - blending their collection of ‘rustic chic’ lodges, and sumptuous private homes around the world with heart-pumping outdoor experiences and tailor-made, ‘above-and-beyond’ bespoke itineraries as unique as each guest they host. Embarking on a journey with Eleven is not merely about chasing adrenaline rushes; it's an invitation to immerse yourself in the wonders of nature without compromising on comfort or sensory indulgence. From heli-skiing in Iceland's untamed wilderness to indulging in a Winter Wellness retreat in Colorado, Eleven Experience transcends conventional luxury adventure travel and is a testament to the meticulous attention to detail that drives its visionary founder, Chad Pike.
Chad Pike's path to create Eleven Experience began with his childhood in rural Ohio, USA, where his ‘Huckleberry Finn’-style adventures - building treehouses and fishing in nearby Grassy Creek with friends - inspired a love of exploration and the great outdoors. Despite initially pursuing a high-calibre career in global finance, two significant life and global events ultimately redirected his passion. A fly-fishing trip with friends to a remote yet luxurious lodge in the Scottish Highlands revealed to Pike the potential of high-end, bespoke adventure holidays, while the 2008 financial crisis, and it’s subsequent real estate crash, provided the opportunity to purchase Scarp Ridge Lodge, an authentic ‘Wild West’-style saloon in Crested Butte, Colorado.
Scarp Ridge Lodge, Crested Butte, Colorado
Over three years, Pike and his designer wife, Blake, meticulously renovated the lodge, infusing it with a luxurious American West aesthetic. Complete with five king guest rooms, indoor and outdoor amenities, and, (indicative of Pike’s desire to go above and beyond for the Lodge’s guests), an oxygen-enriched air system throughout, designed to alleviate any potential altitude sickness caused by the Rocky Mountain lodge’s 2700-metre elevation. Scarp Ridge Lodge opened in 2011 as Eleven Experience’s inaugural flagship property.
Subsequent additions to the portfolio include a 510 square-metre chalet in the French Alps hamlet of Le Miroir in 2012, and Sopris House, a four-bedroom guesthouse with a private saloon a stone’s throw from the original Crested Butte property, in 2013, each imbued with the same sense of style and sophisticated cosiness. Just over a decade later, the entire portfolio of properties now includes thirteen Eleven Experience lodges and chalets across eight diverse locations around the globe, and continues to grow each year.
THE ESSENCE OF ELEVEN EXPERIENCE WITH YVONNE
In December 2023, our Y Travel Founder, Yvonne, was fortunate enough to be one of the lucky few travel professionals invited on a ‘Fam’ (Familiarisation) trip to the tiny French village of Le Miroir, to experience two of the Eleven Experience chalets, Chalet Hibout and Chalet Pelerin, and to immerse herself in the hospitality and exquisite attention to detail that greets every guest during a stay at any Eleven property. “It’s tough to choose which of the two spectacular chalets I prefer, but I do know for sure that my suite, complete with an open fireplace and cast iron bath, stole my heart! It was the perfect place for recovery after a hard day on the slopes.”
The team at Eleven Experience believes that your trip should be about you, which means that no two adventures are ever the same. Before your arrival, your Experience Manager will help plan every detail of your bespoke dream itinerary, from travel logistics to dinner menus.
The dedicated team hosting the ‘Fam’ group at Eleven Experience’s French chalets was led by the Chalet Manager, Jean-Noel, who is the sixth generation of his family in the area, ensuring an incredibly personalised local experience both on and off the ski slopes.
Activities & Equipment
Y Factor - Adventure
Reflecting on her experience in Le Miroir, Yvonne is still amazed by the level of thought that has been given to anticipating the potential needs of their guests when it comes to the activities each location offers. “Le Miroir had a fully decked out equipment room, with a crazy choice of skis, snowshoes, avalanche kits, and more. The level and volume of gear on-site for just two chalets blew me away and highlights the emphasis Eleven Experience places on activities they make available to their guests. There was even a ‘Retail Minibar’ - a closet stocked with clothing in our sizes and favorite colors available to purchase! This is experiential travel at a whole new level.”
“Our experience was packed,” enthused Yvonne. “Skiing on and off-piste, exploring different resorts, indulging in delicious meals, enjoying après-ski fun, sampling the local Genepy, a deep tissue massage and private yoga session, hot tubbing under the stars, and even a magical husky-led sleigh ride through the forest. Even though we were there mid-December we were lucky to have great early-season snow and even managed some fabulous off-piste conditions in both Val D’Isere and the local Saint Foye ski resort. Just how I like it!”
Gastronomy
Y Factor - Taste
The local French cuisine was a definite highlight of Yvonne’s stay in Le Miroir, thanks to the passion of local Eleven Experience chefs, Anna and Philippe.
“Our mornings started with ginger and turmeric shots, followed by local treats prepared by Anna, including fresh cow and goat cheese from the farm down the road, and delicious sourdough bread from the local bakery.” she recalls. “Then, at the tail end of the day, Philippe looked after us with his personal French favorites that kept our taste buds tingling and our waistbands expanding!”
‘Best Day Ever’
Y Factor - The Unexpected
Eleven’s ‘Best Day Ever’ policy means the team on the ground at each lodge is always ready to improvise and be creative, no matter what the elements are throwing your way. The inherent philosophy is “If we can’t ski, we can hike. If we can’t fish, we can go mountain biking with a gourmet riverside lunch. You came to have a once-in-a-lifetime experience, and that’s what you’ll get.”
The ‘Unexpected’ highlight of Yvonne’s stay was the final evening, as the group snowshoed for around 40 minutes to an ‘Alpage’ (a rustic sheepherder’s hut) which was soon filled with the sounds of music and laughter as they devoured their last sumptuous meal prepared by Chef Philippe. Featuring warming cocktails, a decadent cheese fondue, and an open fire grill, and yet another delicious dessert, the group reminisced on their unparalleled Alpine adventure before descending back to their cozy chalets one last time.
Eleven Around The World
The Eleven Experience portfolio of lodges and chalets reads like a catalogue of the world's most coveted adventure destinations. From the heart of the Canadian Rockies, to the mountains and rivers of New Zealand’s stunning South Island, the majesty of the French Alps, the beautiful pink-sand shores of the Bahamas, and finally, of course, the Colorado mountains where it all began, each Eleven property offers a unique blend of luxury, adventure, and authenticity.
Among the crown jewels of the Eleven portfolio is Deplar Farm, a breathtaking retreat nestled in the remote wilderness of Iceland's Troll Peninsula. Here, guests can embark on heli-skiing adventures, traverse dramatic fjords, and immerse themselves in the rich cultural heritage of this enchanting land.
For those craving some warmth, the sun-drenched shores and tropical bliss of Bahama House on iconic Harbour Island beckons with its spellbinding, Caribbean-style accommodations and unparalleled ocean views. From snorkeling amidst vibrant coral reefs to unwinding in the private infinity pool, guests are invited to indulge in the ultimate island escape.
So while the rustic treehouses of Chad Pike’s youth have been replaced with refined, cozy lodges, and their locations are spread across some of the most beautiful and remote parts of the globe, the true essence of those carefree childhood days by Grassy Creek remains at the heart and soul of the Eleven Experience. Whatever your definition of adventure may be, on a scale of one to ten, every Eleven Experience bespoke journey is guaranteed to rate an Eleven!