A southern winter getaway is always great, but with current cross-border travel challenges, consider this hidden gem in Western Canada instead.
If you love the great outdoors but relish indoor creature comforts, Mount Engadine Lodge belongs on your vacation destination short list. Located a short drive south of Canmore, Alta., this award-winning wilderness, eco-certified lodge in the heart of Kananaskis Country combines the adventure of Alberta’s backcountry with the conveniences of modern hotel accommodation.
Surrounded by the stunning natural beauty of Alberta’s Rocky Mountains and untouched wilderness, this family-owned, year-round, rustic retreat offers a choice of high-end accommodations — including cozy mountain lodge rooms, cabins, and glamping tents. What’s glamping? Think traditional camping but with modern amenities and luxuries like indoor plumbing and heating.
Gourmet meals, consisting of Canadian-inspired cuisine made from fresh, locally sourced ingredients, are included in the price of the stay. Good, hearty food is just what you’ll need to maintain your energy for all the fun-filled outdoor activities to be had in this winter paradise. As for special dietary preferences or needs, the staff can accommodate those with some advance notice.
Plenty of winter activities to enjoy both on- and off-site
You may choose to spend your entire stay relaxing by the fire, enjoying the restful surroundings and savouring the afternoon charcuterie board paired with a local craft beer, herbal tea, or cocktail.
But if you’re game for some physical activity and adventure, the area offers an abundance of experiences. Just minutes from the lodge you’ll find Kananaskis and Spray Valley Provincial Park, which provides winter activities ranging from snowshoeing and cross-country skiing to ice fishing, dog sledding, and fat tire biking.
Hiking is another popular outdoor activity. Among the off-site hiking trails are the demanding Chester Lake Trail, a steep nine-kilometre out-and-back, and the more family-friendly Hogarth Lakes Winter Trail. There are also scenic hiking trails on site, and if you want to explore them on snowshoes, you can rent these at the lodge.
At the end of the day, you can congregate and relax around the fire pit, sharing stories and roasting marshmallows. When evening rolls around, you can take advantage of the dark, clear winter skies to indulge in some stargazing, and perhaps even catch a Northern Lights display.
An unforgettable experience
While Mount Engadine is remote and secluded as the only accommodation in Spray Valley Provincial Park, it’s one of the few road-accessible backcountry lodges in the Rockies.
Its location about an hour and a half drive west of Calgary and 40 kilometres south of Canmore, Alta., makes it a convenient vacation destination for people who live in or around these areas. And if you happen to live in Banff or Canmore, lucky you. Not only do you have this unique wilderness getaway nearby, but you’re considered a “local” and qualify for a 10 per cent discount if you stay there.
Mount Engadine Lodge’s ability to host a variety of different types of stays and accommodations makes it an ideal spot for weddings and romantic getaways, family and pet vacations, Christmas escapes, and corporate retreats. Whatever brings you here, you’re in for an unforgettable experience.
Learn more about how Mount Engadine Lodge can offer you a comfortable rustic experience in the Canadian Rockies by visiting mountengadine.com.
