A Secluded Romantic Getaway in Alberta, Canada

What’s your idea of the perfect romantic getaway in Alberta?

I’ve always dreamt about a cozy cabin in Alberta’s Rocky Mountains.  A tranquil place with spectacular views.  A place where you feel a million miles away from it all.

But with hordes of tourists flocking to the mountains these days, do Alberta mountain lodges like this really exist?

They do.  It’s exactly what I found at the Mount Engadine Lodge in the Kananaskis region of the province.

Plus it comes with gourmet meals.  And strudel.

A gorgeous spot for a romantic getaway in Alberta

Where is the Kananaskis region in Alberta, you might be asking?

Here’s the thing.  Most tourists drive right by this hidden gem on the way to Banff.

OK, so it’s not actually hidden.  Kananaskis Country is a protected wilderness area of 4000 square kilometres.  It includes nine provincial parks and countless hiking trails with jaw-dropping views.  And there are nowhere near as many tourists as in Banff.

The Lodge is the only accommodation in the Spray Valley Provincial Park.  It’s off-the-beaten path, but you don’t have to drive a million miles to get there.  It’s only a two-hour drive from Calgary, or less than an hour from Canmore, not including the time it takes to stop and gape at the mountain vistas.

And gape you must.  The beauty of this area nearly knocks me over every time I visit.

The best place to stay in Kananaskis

Mount Engadine Lodge is nestled in this pristine wilderness, overlooking a mountain meadow and soaring peaks.   With a maximum capacity of 38 guests, a quiet retreat is virtually guaranteed. 

I’ve been to this Kananaskis lodge three times:

• for a romantic weekend getaway in Alberta’s winter,
• for a solo nature escape in the fall, and
• just for the afternoon tea in the summer.

Every visit felt restorative.  It’s truly one of the best ways to escape into the serenity of nature, while staying in comfort.

A unique place to stay in Alberta

There are backcountry lodges in Alberta that offer luxury and rustic ones that are very basic.   In some cases, you have to do long hikes to get to them.

The Mount Engadine Lodge combines the best of all worlds.  It’s secluded, but you can drive there.  The decor gives rustic cabin vibes, but the amenities, service and food are luxury grade.

It’s an “elevated” backcountry experience.  And it excels at coziness.

At the Lodge’s entrance in the winter, you’ll find a basket of knitted slippers, just like my Grandma used to make, to keep your toes toasty.  There are roaring fires lit in two big fireplaces, and woolen Hudson’s Bay throw blankets scattered about on the comfy couches in the lounge.

Accommodation choices from cabins to glamping

You can choose to stay in the main lodge, a cabin, a glamping tent or even a yurt. These include pet-friendly options.

On our romantic Alberta getaway, we stayed in a comfortable cabin, with a large window and balcony looking out on the mountain view.  The bed linens are top quality, especially the cloud-like double-down duvet.

On my solo escape, I enjoyed the small “Chickadee” room in the main lodge – – perfectly designed for the single traveler.

As part of the Eco-Certified stay at the lodge, it provides heavenly-scented toiletries from the eco-friendly Rocky Mountain Soap Company.

Also, there’s no TV or phone in the room and that’s by design to ensure the serenity of the experience.  Quiet time in the lodge starts at 10 p.m.

Gourmet meals in the Alberta backcountry

There’s no competing with the scenery, but the food at the Mount Engadine Lodge gives it a run for the money.

The meals at the Lodge are part of the all-inclusive experience.

It starts with afternoon tea

This is not your average afternoon tea with tiny cakes on tiered tray.

It’s a robust charcuterie selection, served on a board shaped like the province of Alberta.  All of the meats and fine cheeses are locally sourced.  You can enjoy it with a view from the Lodge’s deck, or inside by a toasty fire.

The charcuterie is served with Canadian tea blends from the Banff Tea Co, or a beverage of your choice.

If you have a craving for something sweet after that, there’s strudel – – something the lodge is known for.  And with good reason.  It’s a warm plate of flaky pastry, cinnamon apple happiness.

Followed by a three-course dinner

Meals are served family-style at big pine tables in the dining room.  Initially, I wasn’t sure if this approach was for me, but, as it turns out you’ll always have something in common with other travelers who clearly have  similar interests.  The conversation flowed easily and the dinner was all the more enjoyable as a shared experience.

The menu changes daily.  On my first visit, it was melt-in-your-mouth Alberta beef tenderloin and chocolate mousse for dessert.  During my recent fall stay, I enjoyed delicious butternut squash soup and poached salmon with mashed potatoes, followed by German chocolate cake.

Breakfast is an event

The hearty breakfast included a buffet selection of baked goodies, juice, fruit and yogurt,  You can also order a hot entree, like these delectable cream-filled crepes.  With crispy bacon on the side, of course.

Lunch to go

The meal package includes a packed lunch to take with you on the hiking trails.  It’s a hefty made-to-order sandwich and dessert.

Things to do during your stay at Mount Engadine Lodge

Hiking and viewpoints in Kananaskis

Quite simply, Kananaskis is a hiker’s paradise.  There are hundreds of kilometres of hiking trails, ranging from easy strolls to scrambling up mountain ridges.

The folks at Mount Engadine Lodge can share all the details on the best hikes nearby.  I really like the easier hike up to Rawson Lake.

If you aren’t much of a hiker, you can still take in tons of gorgeous scenery by taking the drive along Highways 40 (the Kananaskis Highway) and 742 (the Smith-Dorrien Trail) and stopping at the viewpoints.

In winter, the big activities here are cross-country skiing and snowshoeing while taking in the natural scenery.  For an epic adventure, try dashing through the show on a dog sled.

Wildlife watching

There is plenty of wildlife in Kananaskis Country. 

In fact, it’s not uncommon to see a bear or a moose wandering through the meadow behind the lodge. 

Or even in the parking lot. This is known as an “Alberta car wash.”   Moose like the taste of the salt on the cars, and I watched this big guy (from a distance) for awhile as he licked the back of this vehicle clean, and then sat down and licked the parking lot.  He was a majestic fellow with a salt craving.

Relax

The views from the Mount Engadine Lodge are sublime.  You can always take it easy and soak in the nature right there.

In the evening, you can watch the stars and stay warm by the firepit.

Practical tips for visiting:

To get to the Mount Engadine Lodge:

The Mount Engadine Lodge is easy to reach, but, as mentioned, it’s off-the beaten track.  This means that you’ll be driving on a gravel road for part of the trip.

If you go from Calgary, I recommend turning off Highway 1 onto Highway 40 (the Kananaskis Trail) to take in some views along the way.  Once you reach Highway 742 to reach the Lodge, you’ll be driving on a gravel road for about 29 kilometres, or 40 minutes.

Another option is to go via Canmore and take Highway 742 (the Smith-Dorrien Trail) from there.  In this case, you’ll be driving on the gravel road for about 40 kilometres or one hour.  There’s a steep hill coming out of Canmore than can be slippery in winter.

Safety tips:

If you drive in winter, I strongly recommend snow tires on your vehicle.

There is no cell service in most of the region.  The signal disappears once you pass the Kananaskis Visitor Information Centre about 7 kilometres after you turn onto Highway 40.  You can pick up a good map at the Centre as a reference point.

This is bear country, so you’ll need bear spray if you plan to do any hiking.  The Lodge has some on hand that you can borrow.  Please always keep a safe distance from wildlife.

The Kananaskis Conservation Pass

You’re required to buy a Kananaskis Conservation Pass to support efforts to protect the environment in the parks.  You only need one pass per vehicle.

The price is $15 per day or $90 per year.  It’s easiest to buy it online here.

What to wear in the Alberta backcountry

Of course, it depends on when you go.  But, the weather in the mountains is highly variable, and you should always have layers on hand.

In the summer, this would include a T-shirt layer, a warm layer and a wind/rain jacket. I always wear a merino wool base layer, which is comfortable in any situation.  Also, waterproof hiking shoes or boots are also a good idea.

In the winter, you’ll also need the following essentials:

• Long underwear.
• Snow pants (I like these ones from Arctix)
• Insulated jacket
• Insulated boots
• Thermal winter mittens
• Woolen thermal socks
• Fleece jacket
• Woolen hat (called a tuque in ‘Canadian’)

Stay warm and enjoy your visit to the Mount Engadine Lodge in beautiful Kananaskis Country!

*My second stay was hosted by the Mount Engadine Lodge, but my opinions are always my own.

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