Mount Engadine Lodge
Getting There
We are excited for a weekend escape to a new destination. This time rustic Mount Engadine Lodge. Google Maps indicated two options to get there from Calgary. We drove to Canmore then took Highway #792 up past the Nordic Centre towards Spray Lakes and into the Provincial Park. Mount Engadine Lodge is located just off the #792 so this seemed like the logical choice. It’s worth noting that Highway #792 is not paved, but rather, a hard grated gravel road.
Our other option was to exit off the TransCanada Highway to Highway #40 into Kananaskis Country and follow the signs to the #792. Mount Engadine Lodge is approximately 25 minutes off Highway #40.
Note: you will need to purchase a Kananaskis Conservation Pass for each day you are in the Kananaskis.
Mount Engadine Lodge
Mount Engadine Lodge is cradled between two mountain ranges in the heart of Kananaskis Country. It is comprised of a lodge, three connected cabins and glamping tents for the more adventurous. We also spotted a yurt back in the trees.
The lodge and outbuildings sleep 39 people so it’s just the right size for cozy.
Fun Fact: Pets are welcome, but not permitted in the lodge.
The lodge and it’s wrap-around deck overlook a meadow that was an oasis of snow. A snake-like indentation weaves through it in what we understand is a water-way in warmer months.
On the deck we looked up to the snow-capped mountains and sighed; we’re back to nature. There is nothing more rejuvenating than being in the forest with all T H I S around us.
Staff
We were greeted warmly on our arrival by staff who are multilingual. They were friendly, helpful, knowledgeable about the area, and accommodating. On the office door there are pictures of most of the staff with details of the languages they speak and their favourite hike or activity in the area.
Ambiance
Think rustic log cabin. In the lobby, oversized leather chairs face a wood burning fire. The smell pulled us in immediately. To the right, a small bar and the dining area where a full sized red canoe hangs from the ceiling. To the left, a doorway into the living room. This area has another wood burning fireplace with accompanying cozy chairs. A second sitting area backs onto this and looks out onto the meadow and mountains. This combined space is where you can relax, visit with friends, play board games, or just enjoy the view.
In keeping with the ambiance, the rooms, cabins, and tents all have themed names like Eagle, Raven, Owl, Elk, etc. Matching name plates are put on your designated dining table.
It is suggested that you bring slippers or indoor shoes when staying at the lodge and there’s something cozy about this. It was delightful to move around the inside of the lodge in slippers all weekend (yes, we could pretend we owned the place).
Food
Your stay at Mount Engadine Lodge is an all-inclusive situation (except alcohol). You are literarily in the middle of the forest so there is nowhere to purchase anything. The price you pay for your stay includes breakfast, lunch, teatime, and dinner. Food is served family-style so there are specific times for each meal. Here is what we experienced during our stay.
- Breakfast – served between 8am and 9am
Each day our breakfast started with a small fruit cup appetizer. Then we had two choices for our main. Frittata or waffles the first day, and pancakes or eggs Benedict the second.
- Lunch – is a packed lunch.
At dinner you are asked to fill out your lunch request. An amazing sandwich with choice of snack is ready to pick up before you leave to ski, snowshoe, hike or explore for the day.
- Afternoon tea – served between 2pm and 5pm.
This really blew us away. Afternoon tea consisted of a charcuterie board, tea, coffee, hot chocolate or hot apple cider and dessert. It was amazing.
- Dinner – served at 7pm
Dinner consisted of an appetizer, main and dessert. We were served salad, filet mignon, flourless chocolate torte the first night and sweet potato soup, hoisin duck and a lemony dessert the second.
Normally, we wouldn’t point out these particulars but staying at Mount Engadine Lodge is on the pricier side of things and this might be helpful to some.
Alcoholic beverages can be requested from the bar during the day and through dinner. Last call is at 9:45pm. The lodge closes at 10pm. Staff go off duty and guests are asked to be mindful of their noise levels if they have neighbours.
Snowshoeing
Mount Engadine Lodge provides micro spikes and snowshoes for their guests. They also have information on various hikes in the area. We were happy to take advantage of the snowshoes to do the Hogarth Lakes Loop.
Fun Fact: The University of Calgary rents snowshoes and many other outdoor items. Check it out here.
Hogarth Lakes Loop
A five-minute drive from the lodge is Burstall Pass Day Use Area parking lot. This is the trail head for a few hikes; however, we were there to do the 4.4 km Hogarth Lakes Snowshoe Loop.
We arrived at 10am on a gorgeous sunny Saturday morning. Although several cars were already in the parking lot, it was only on our walk to the trailhead, and again when we finished our loop that we saw any other people. We had the 4.4 km trail completely to ourselves and it was amazing!
Blue sky, birds chirping, the occasional plane far far overhead, lots of snow, a forest of trees and fresh mountain air. It was fantastic!
We ate our bagged lunch, in the parking lot after our hike. We were tired, happy and delighted with our lunch. It was time to head back to the lodge and sit in the Adirondack chairs on the deck, read a book and have a beverage.
“Parting is such sweet sorrow…” William Shakespeare
All good things must come to an end and the same for our weekend away. In summary, our stay in the mountains was wonderful and SO worth it. Connecting with nature, breathing in the mountain air, and feasting on the gorgeous eye candy that is Mother Nature. It truly is what fills us up. In the crazy world we’ve lived in for the last two years, this is such a welcome respite.
We turned right on the #792 when we left Mount Engadine Lodge and connected with Highway #40. It was a lovely drive, and we spotted a few new places we might like to explore in the future.
If you venture out to Mount Engadine Lodge or maybe have already, we’d love to hear your comments.
Until next time….