Backcountry Lodges in Alberta's Rockies
• A WorldWeb.com Travel Guide for Alberta's Rockies, Alberta.
As well as being noted for world-class resort hotels, Alberta's Rockies are also famous for another type of accommodation—the backcountry lodge. For many people, the ideal Rocky Mountains vacation includes rustic accommodations in log-constructed cabins. Indeed, Alberta’s Rockies have a great range of cabin-style accommodations. These range from very basic to very elaborate—and everything in between. However, the real qualification for a backcountry adventure lodge is a remote location amongst awesome scenery, the close proximity and availability of some type of wilderness adventure experience, and, no matter how luxurious, a casual ambience.
A seemingly rustic exterior can be somewhat deceptive because these properties can be deluxe with the last word in finely appointed accommodations and gourmet dining, or they can be truly primitive with no indoor plumbing and very basic facilities. Most lodges fall somewhere between the two extremes. They all offer a memorable experience.
A TYPICAL BACKCOUNTRY LODGE EXPERIENCE
Imagine staying in such a place—miles from the nearest large town or city, or perhaps even the nearest highway. Wake up the first morning to a magnificent sunrise and then enjoy a fine and filling breakfast in the main lodge building. After breakfast, ingredients for a fine picnic lunch are made available for guests to take with them for the day's activities. It's simply a question of packing as much or as little as a person wants.
After a day's activity, or alternatively a day's relaxation in the proximity of the lodge, guests return mid to late afternoon. At some lodges, tea and cakes or pastries are served before guests return to their rooms or cabins to relax for a while and perhaps take a hot bath, sauna or Jacuzzi. Dinner is the social high point of the day. While lodges are always casual, of those that provide food, it is usually of a very high standard and includes carefully prepared, sometimes gourmet quality food. Bread and cakes and pastries are usually baked on the premises, fish, game and meat is often local, and vegetables and produce may also be from the lodge’s own gardens but will certainly, where possible, be of local origin, especially in summer. For those catering their own meals, a barbecue under the stars, or a hearty home-cooked meal in a warm cabin will be equally enjoyable.
As well as the excellent food, it is the conversation shared at the table that is often one of the most pleasurable parts of a backcountry vacation. With little diversion from the outside world, the art of good conversation returns, and long-lasting friendships can often be made. A backcountry lodge is only as good as the people who operate it and work there. They play the role of social hosts amongst many other things, and it is their job to ensure that during the evening the conversation flows, and to be certain that everybody is enjoying themselves.
Finally, as the log fire fades, it’s time for maybe one more liqueur and then bed. Hear the sounds of the nocturnal wildlife while dozing off for the night in a log cabin, with a wood burning stove and a feather duvet for warmth. In the backcountry, with fresh air and plenty of exercise, sleep tends to come easily.
LODGE ACTIVITIES
Alberta’s Rockies offer year-round activities. Many lodges have limited access—some have no road access and the only way in is by cross-country skiing, hiking or on horseback. There are certain lodges that can only be accessed by helicopter or even floatplane. Often, getting to and from the lodge forms a major part of the total experience. Because of this, skiing in winter and horseback riding and hiking in summer are a major part of activities at many lodges. Lodges often have staff who are experts in these fields and during the day lead trips and expeditions on skis or horseback. Their knowledge and training for what can be risky activities in isolated country is invaluable.
Other activities include those revolving around nature and wildlife. Some guests come (especially in summer) to observe and enjoy the local flora and fauna. Once again, lodge staff are experts in the area and will often lead hikes with a nature theme and know how to view wildlife safely. The backcountry of the Rockies is the place to see black and grizzly bears, moose, deer, elk, bighorn sheep, mountain goats, cougars, lynx, various birds—the list is a long one.
Fishing is another activity that has tremendous potential in the Rockies. Many lodges are close to trout-filled streams and rivers. There are some lodges that specialize in fishing and are located next to unspoiled and carefully managed lakes. Rainbow, cutthroat, bull and brook trout as well as the ubiquitous Rocky Mountain whitefish—amongst others—provide great sport for fishermen of all abilities. Needless to say, fresh lake and river fish are often on the menu for supper, whether it be grilled on the barbecue outside a simple cabin or expertly prepared by a lodge's gourmet chef.
THE FINAL CHOICE
With so many backcountry lodges to choose from, the final decision can be difficult. Some people like to have access to a road so that they can use their vehicle to visit nearby places of interest. Many lodges are in this category, and are in relatively isolated and unspoiled places but do have highway access. These range from simple self-catering cabins with kitchen facilities to luxury adventure lodges with fine dining and opportunities for a full range of organized leisure and sports activities.
The truly isolated lodges that are only accessible by ski, horseback, on foot or by aircraft also range in level of comfort offered. Some of these can be simple with no running water, but are nonetheless well run with all necessities being provided. A few are truly deluxe, with gourmet chefs, luxury cabins with every amenity, and the finest in skiing, riding or whatever their recreational specialty is.
For those who prefer to cater their own food needs, many lodges offer kitchens with their cabins. Other lodges include all meals as part of a complete package (American plan) while others have restaurants and dining rooms but give their guests the choice of whether or not they want to eat there. Self-catering can be a problem (but not impossible) at very isolated lodges, because there is a limit to the amount of food that visitors can bring in on skis, horseback or even by helicopter.
The backcountry of the Rockies offers leisure and recreational opportunities that are increasingly difficult to find in unblemished surroundings. The region draws visitors from all over the world who want to savour the unique environment. Whatever a visitor's choice of lodge and activity, the backcountry adventure experience will always be a remarkable one.
A seemingly rustic exterior can be somewhat deceptive because these properties can be deluxe with the last word in finely appointed accommodations and gourmet dining, or they can be truly primitive with no indoor plumbing and very basic facilities. Most lodges fall somewhere between the two extremes. They all offer a memorable experience.
A TYPICAL BACKCOUNTRY LODGE EXPERIENCE
Imagine staying in such a place—miles from the nearest large town or city, or perhaps even the nearest highway. Wake up the first morning to a magnificent sunrise and then enjoy a fine and filling breakfast in the main lodge building. After breakfast, ingredients for a fine picnic lunch are made available for guests to take with them for the day's activities. It's simply a question of packing as much or as little as a person wants.
After a day's activity, or alternatively a day's relaxation in the proximity of the lodge, guests return mid to late afternoon. At some lodges, tea and cakes or pastries are served before guests return to their rooms or cabins to relax for a while and perhaps take a hot bath, sauna or Jacuzzi. Dinner is the social high point of the day. While lodges are always casual, of those that provide food, it is usually of a very high standard and includes carefully prepared, sometimes gourmet quality food. Bread and cakes and pastries are usually baked on the premises, fish, game and meat is often local, and vegetables and produce may also be from the lodge’s own gardens but will certainly, where possible, be of local origin, especially in summer. For those catering their own meals, a barbecue under the stars, or a hearty home-cooked meal in a warm cabin will be equally enjoyable.
As well as the excellent food, it is the conversation shared at the table that is often one of the most pleasurable parts of a backcountry vacation. With little diversion from the outside world, the art of good conversation returns, and long-lasting friendships can often be made. A backcountry lodge is only as good as the people who operate it and work there. They play the role of social hosts amongst many other things, and it is their job to ensure that during the evening the conversation flows, and to be certain that everybody is enjoying themselves.
Finally, as the log fire fades, it’s time for maybe one more liqueur and then bed. Hear the sounds of the nocturnal wildlife while dozing off for the night in a log cabin, with a wood burning stove and a feather duvet for warmth. In the backcountry, with fresh air and plenty of exercise, sleep tends to come easily.
LODGE ACTIVITIES
Alberta’s Rockies offer year-round activities. Many lodges have limited access—some have no road access and the only way in is by cross-country skiing, hiking or on horseback. There are certain lodges that can only be accessed by helicopter or even floatplane. Often, getting to and from the lodge forms a major part of the total experience. Because of this, skiing in winter and horseback riding and hiking in summer are a major part of activities at many lodges. Lodges often have staff who are experts in these fields and during the day lead trips and expeditions on skis or horseback. Their knowledge and training for what can be risky activities in isolated country is invaluable.
Other activities include those revolving around nature and wildlife. Some guests come (especially in summer) to observe and enjoy the local flora and fauna. Once again, lodge staff are experts in the area and will often lead hikes with a nature theme and know how to view wildlife safely. The backcountry of the Rockies is the place to see black and grizzly bears, moose, deer, elk, bighorn sheep, mountain goats, cougars, lynx, various birds—the list is a long one.
Fishing is another activity that has tremendous potential in the Rockies. Many lodges are close to trout-filled streams and rivers. There are some lodges that specialize in fishing and are located next to unspoiled and carefully managed lakes. Rainbow, cutthroat, bull and brook trout as well as the ubiquitous Rocky Mountain whitefish—amongst others—provide great sport for fishermen of all abilities. Needless to say, fresh lake and river fish are often on the menu for supper, whether it be grilled on the barbecue outside a simple cabin or expertly prepared by a lodge's gourmet chef.
THE FINAL CHOICE
With so many backcountry lodges to choose from, the final decision can be difficult. Some people like to have access to a road so that they can use their vehicle to visit nearby places of interest. Many lodges are in this category, and are in relatively isolated and unspoiled places but do have highway access. These range from simple self-catering cabins with kitchen facilities to luxury adventure lodges with fine dining and opportunities for a full range of organized leisure and sports activities.
The truly isolated lodges that are only accessible by ski, horseback, on foot or by aircraft also range in level of comfort offered. Some of these can be simple with no running water, but are nonetheless well run with all necessities being provided. A few are truly deluxe, with gourmet chefs, luxury cabins with every amenity, and the finest in skiing, riding or whatever their recreational specialty is.
For those who prefer to cater their own food needs, many lodges offer kitchens with their cabins. Other lodges include all meals as part of a complete package (American plan) while others have restaurants and dining rooms but give their guests the choice of whether or not they want to eat there. Self-catering can be a problem (but not impossible) at very isolated lodges, because there is a limit to the amount of food that visitors can bring in on skis, horseback or even by helicopter.
The backcountry of the Rockies offers leisure and recreational opportunities that are increasingly difficult to find in unblemished surroundings. The region draws visitors from all over the world who want to savour the unique environment. Whatever a visitor's choice of lodge and activity, the backcountry adventure experience will always be a remarkable one.
Private Lodge & Cabins
A Friendly Inn
Luxury Hotel
Downtown B&B
Near Downtown
