Chiseled into the mountainside with breathtaking views of the Margaree Valley, Valley View Chalets offers a unique mix of natural beauty, comfort, and adventure. What was once Malcolm Fraser’s farmstead in the 1800s has been reimagined by generations of his family into a year-round retreat where visitors can roam the Highlands, explore the vast trail system, paddle the riverbank, or just unwind in nature for the perfect Cape Breton escape.
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For many Cape Bretoners, there’s no place like home. It is a sentiment shared by Kody Fraser, Co-Founder and Co-Owner of Valley View Chalets, whose strong family roots and history continue to grow mountainside above the Margaree Valley. Born and raised in Mabou, where his mother’s family settled after emigrating from Scotland, he also has strong ties to Margaree, his father’s hometown. Looking back six generations in the Fraser family, in the mid-1800s, Malcolm Fraser decided to clear land and build a farm on a mountainside high above the Margaree Valley. In the 1910s, with Malcolm in his eighties, the farmhouse was cut in two and brought to the base of the mountain, where it stands today. Even after the homestead was moved, the mountain farm continued to operate. Over the past century and a half, the field cleared by Malcolm has supported turnip and potato crops, pasture, and at its peak, three large barns – housing as many as 100 horses for the transportation of goods and people across the Cape Breton Highlands, before the Cabot Trail was built.
The family’s land and presence in the local business community continued for generations to follow. Growing up, Kody worked for his parents’ forestry company, and after graduating high school, he expanded his business knowledge at St. Francis Xavier University. “I was always in the woods with my dad, or office with my mom, and had an interest in both the administrative and operational side of our family operation, so in university, I decided to study business, with a major in enterprise development and a minor in political science,” he says.
Kody continues to work in the family’s forestry and excavation business, but when he and his parents saw the chance to try something new, they could not pass it up. His cousin was selling a piece of land that had once been part of the family’s original property, and after deciding to buy it, Kody and his parents weren’t sure exactly what to do with it. Then, they noticed a real opportunity: snowmobilers in the Highlands were always talking about how there was limited places to stay if they wanted to extend their fun beyond a day trip – that’s when it clicked that there was a gap to fill.
“We realized that the land we bought would be a great spot for cabins, as there was a winter market for snowmobiling, snowshoeing, and other activities in addition to what the property could offer in the summer months. So, we developed a business plan and went from there.”
They moved forward with construction, and while breaking ground was an exciting moment, building on the rugged mountain terrain was no easy feat. The property spans 14 acres on one side of the road and six on the other, with the latter being an open field cleared by his great-great-great-grandfather that they wanted to preserve. The other side was steep and uneven, with slopes that made navigation tricky even for foresters with extensive experience in road building and construction.
“The driveway and landscaping became bigger projects than we expected, but we made it work,” he says. “Now, standing at the top and looking out over the valley, we know it was worth every bit of effort. It’s a bit of a climb to get there, but once you do – the view speaks for itself.”
Construction wrapped up in early 2020, and by March 1st, the chalets were ready to welcome guests – in time to catch the last month or so of what had been a great snowmobiling season. But just two weeks later, the world changed.
“We had two really good weeks, then COVID hit, and the lockdowns came,” he recalls. “That was stressful, being a brand-new business.”
The chalets sat empty for a couple of months, but as restrictions eased and people started looking for safe staycation options, Valley View proved to be a perfect escape. With a safe self-check-in process and a strong Wi-Fi signal, even remote workers enjoyed the change of scenery.
“Once people started moving around, things really picked up, and Nova Scotians really supported us when nobody else could come or go.”
Moving past the worst part of the pandemic, Valley View Chalets focused on building its brand around offering a year-round, premium experience while staying accessible. In an area with few new developments, Kody saw an opportunity to provide something fresh.
“We wanted to offer a premium experience that could still be affordable for younger families or snowmobilers,” he says.
Each of the 360-square-foot chalets is fully equipped with kitchens—including an oven, dishwasher, and refrigerator—as well as washrooms, air conditioning, Wi-Fi, satellite smart TVs, and electric fireplaces. Outside, each chalet has a spacious veranda, propane BBQs, and a firepit. Each chalet is named after Kody’s great-uncles and grandfather—Donald, Robie, Lee and, Bud- adding to the property’s charm and reflecting the pride in the family legacy.
“Our newest chalet is named after my uncle Alec, who originally owned the piece of land where the chalets are built now, so Alex’s Treehouse has a special place in everybody’s heart. His grandson, Robert, built it for us, so it’s a nice family connection.”
Outside of the chalets, guests at Valley View Chalets have endless opportunities for outdoor adventure. The Margaree River is a must-visit, whether for fishing, sightseeing, or tubing down its gentle currents. Just four kilometers from the Cabot Trail, the chalets offer easy access to hiking spots. In winter, snowmobilers can leave directly from the chalets to explore the Highlands, while ATV riders can access miles of scenic trails leading to waterfalls. With family members running local tours, activities, and restaurants, there’s a deep sense of community woven into the experience.
For those looking to enter the tourism and hospitality industry, the key is to create a strong roadmap and be prepared for both peaks and valleys.
“Put the time and effort into a really sound business plan. Really analyze your competition and prices and where you’re going to fit in the market, and how much room you’ll have to weather storms as they come. Be prepared for your best- and worst-case business scenarios. It’s great to be optimistic, but when you’re looking financially, be pessimistic—and if it still works when you’re pessimistic, then you might be in for a pleasant surprise.”
Despite the current political climate and uncertainty, particularly between the U.S. and Canada, Kody sees opportunity for growth in tourism and hospitality.
“We may continue to see more and more interest in traveling to this country from both Americans and Canadians—for different reasons. Americans may enjoy budget-friendly trips to Canada, while Canadians are experiencing a stronger sense of pride by spending more time and money here at home. The next four years will be interesting.”
In the meantime, plans are underway for an exciting expansion at Valley View Chalets. With his sister graduating from St. Francis Xavier in the spring with her business degree, Kody and his parents look forward to the possibility of another family member joining the team as more work gets set to start.
“We are going to build a few additional larger-sized chalets to accommodate more guests under each roof. The view just gets better and better as you head up the hills, so we’re very excited to expand our offering and experience options for our guests.”
The mixed terrain of the property is symbolic of the business’s journey—challenging but rewarding and full of possibilities. “It’s up the hill and steep, but once you get up there and catch a glimpse of the valley, it’s definitely worth the climb.”
by Lauren Reid