Snowdon is very much the main attraction for thousands of guests every year. There is no better feeling in my opinion than conquering a mountain no matter how big or small and Yr Wddyfa, which translated to English is “Snowdon” being the third-largest Mountain in the UK is simply breathtaking. One of the best parts of climbing a mountain is meeting people along the way. Everyone conquering the same challenge, the joint sense of accomplishment, the feeling of togetherness, and also joint tiredness at the end of the day, sharing a well-earned meal and drink is simply the best way to spend a day.

The reason why I admire Snowdon so much as a visitor destination is the fact that many abilities and ages are able to walk to the summit. There are multiple paths ranging from slow and easy of the Llanberis Path to scrambles and climbs for the more advanced such as Grib Coch (more can be read about the various

Dear followers and subscribers I would like to begin this blog post by saying a massive thank you for following Crashpad, for all the reviews, the likes, shares, comments and to those that choose to make Crashpad Lodges their basecamp to explore Snowdon since we opened for business in 2014. Here’s a few of our guests that came to stay in 2019 and the picture of the most filled outdoor drinks cooler of the year, good effort!

Almost every penny made from opening our doors back in 2014 we have invested back into Yr Helfa, the building from where we run Crashpad Lodges. Yr Helfa translates from Welsh to English as “The Gathering” which is exactly what Yr Helfa provides, group accommodation close to Snowdon in the village of Llanberis for friends, ,families and groups to gather.  Because of your business we have been able to restore Yr Helfa and welcome it into 2020 as an exciting unique place for adventure. So thank you and if Yr Helfa could thank

Do you need an escape from the city, from your weekly routine?

Do you fancy doing something completely different? Switch off from the modern world, climb a mountain, swim in lakes, eat fantastic food, drinks around the BBQ and make new friends?

Then why not join us for The Welsh Escape, your personal adventure getaway, wellness escape, fitness retreat in a stunningly priceless location this July 22nd - July 25th at Crashpad Lodges.

Hosted by family friend of Crashpad, Max Strength, a personal trainer who specialises in increasing your fitness and wellbeing in the great outdoors as well as leading boutique, group fitness classes in Brighton and Hove.

Last week I listened to a podcast that spoke about how people are re-defining what success means. According to the podcast success as we know it today is measured by what we wear, what car we drive, how many likes on Instagram we have, the career, the house, being able to multitask and have it all.  The list goes on.  The podcast went onto suggest that the measure of success is starting to change with a noted discomfort surrounding ostentatious spending and displays of wealth. Driven by this new outlook growing amounts of people are moving towards smaller culture laden goods that speak volumes, items with provenance, buying local bread and homemade soaps - once seen as humble products into everyday luxuries. In North Wales small artisans have been doing such that for the example Dinorwig Gin, Purple Moose Ale and Heartland Coffi who are all starting to see rapid success due to this new luxury and shift in mind-set.

Every January and February we close Crashpad Lodges.  Not because of the cold weather or because guests don’t want to stay in the depth of winter. And not because we go on holiday. For 2 months at the start of every year we do a health check on the Lodges and do improvements that we have planned and saved up for from the previous year takings.

As I write we are almost finished ‘tending to the roots’ for the up and coming guests of 2019. ‘tending to the roots’ meaning we are working on making sure that the fabrication and the foundations of the lodges are in tip top condition by getting our hands dirty and doing the work that actually no-one can see.

Have you ever heard about or even tried wild swimming? Think of all the bodies of water you may have walked by, lakes, seas, streams, waterfalls - instead of just walking past would you ever consider taking the plunge and stripping and dipping!

Wild Swimming can be quite addictive and I’ve been told that swimmers find ‘the nip of the water and the zing of a wild swim exhilarating.  Also know as “Open water swimming”  it is classed as a discipline which takes place in outdoor bodies of water such as open oceans, lakes, and rivers with more people seem to be “going swimming” but not in traditional indoor swimming pools but in the great outdoors.  Most say this is due to the best selling book “Wild Swimming” by  Kate Rew, also the founder of the “Outdoor Swimming Society”

Relaxing by the beach, a cocktail by the pool, room service, it’s the time of year to book your summer holiday.  But what if this year you were to do it different.  What if your holiday didn’t involve a plane but a car trip to North Wales.  North Wales vs the sunny beaches of Kefalonia?! I know it sounds silly but hear me out on this one.

My love of the great outdoors stems from trips to army camp when I was a teenager.  We travelled from our school in the North East of England to the Lakes.  We climbed to the top of a mountain - I had never been so high or seen so far.  Rode mountain bikes across wild terrain and main roads thinking I’d never been so fast or had never had such a sore bottom but laughing the whole way.  Camping with nature in such silence that all I

As the year comes to a close, one evening this week I decided to sit down with yet another mince pie and look at the business plan Josh and I crafted out in 2014 to see if we had managed to stay with the original premise.

Our original mission statement was to provide “quality accommodation for friends and families in the most wonderful setting from which to enjoy Snowdonia and the surrounding area” This statement has not changed, the bones of our business plan has remained the same. Phew.