Mount Engadine Lodge offers lodge rooms, cabins, glamping tents and even a yurt in the Spray Valley of Kananaskis.
The lodge is 40 km south of Canmore, close to several popular hiking trails. In winter, you can go snowshoeing around the lodge and fat biking or cross-country skiing Mount Shark with an extensive network of groomed trails for all levels.
While Iβve heard about the lodge, weβve never stayed there until this winter. And I was very interested to see if it was as good as all the praise Iβd read.
This blog post is our honest review of the Mount Engadine Lodge.
Mount Engadine Lodge
We were driving from Calgary when the snowstorm caught us in Canmore. We stopped at Canmore Nordic Centre to enjoy cross-country skiing before heading deep into Kananaskis Country.
Luckily for us, we didnβt need to pick up any supplies as the stay at the lodge comes with all meals included. Travelling with our toddler always means having lots of snacks available, so this was very welcome. Β And if you have ever stayed in hotels in the Canadian Rockies, you know how rare it is to have any meals included in the stay.
After about an hour, we arrived at Mount Engadine Lodge. The snow was falling heavily, and we were happy to make it just in time for the afternoon tea (served between 2 pm β 5 pm). The charcuterie spread was served on a beautiful board in the shape of Alberta province. Before checking into our glamping tent, we enjoyed the generous spread of meats, cheeses, fruit, crackers, and tea.
About three minutes from the main lodge are five glamping tents overlooking the mountains. If you ever want to go camping in winter without getting cold, this is the best option.
The glamping tent has a king-size bed, tables and chairs, a pull-out couch, and a bathroom with all necessities, including a hot shower and the softest towels (youβll understand when you try them).
The best feature of all is the gas fireplace. It keeps the tent so cozy and warm. You can adjust the temperature, and the hardwood floors with carpets keep your feet warm. The private deck with resting chairs provides a total immersion into nature.
At 7 pm, it was time to head into the main lodge for dinner. And let me tell you, Mount Engadine Lodge doesnβt provide a dinner meal; they offer a 3-course dining experience. When we entered the lodge with the crackling fire and dimmed lights in the dining room, I suspected we were in for a real treat.
When all guests were seated, the waiter rang a bell, everyone in the room went quiet, and we all waited for an announcement.
He introduced us to our upcoming 3-course dining experience, explaining every meal and special drinks they offer.
A delicious duck followed up the salad starter and then apple crisp with ice cream. I tried their gin & black tea drink that won their competition and was delighted by the smoothest taste and smell.
We spent in the dining room 1.5 hour, and I was surprised our son sat through it. Probably thanks to the kind waiter who gave us some colouring supplies.
The next day, we headed to the lodge between 8 am β 9 am, where they served breakfast. We could choose between frittata with sausages and pancakes with fruit and cream. In addition, there was a big tray of fresh fruits, freshly baked pastries, and yogurt with granola.
While we enjoyed breakfast, we filled out provided cards with preferences for our packed lunches. Knowing that we could enjoy the day without worrying about lunch was huge. They prepared a big sandwich for each of us with our selected meats, cheese, veggies, and a snack: trail mix, a cookie, or veggies with hummus.
After breakfast, it was time to have some fun in the snow. The lodgeβs surroundings were beautifully covered in deep snow from the previous nightβs snowstorm, and even though the mountain views were brief, it was nothing short of breathtaking.
Because of the snowstorm, the road to the nearby cross-country ski & fat biking trails at Mount Shark was inaccessible. But luckily for other visitors and us, Mount Engadine Lodge offers complimentary snow shoes and fat bike rental.
I immediately went for the fat bike and couldnβt be happier. The road around the lodge was plowed, so I went to see the main highway Smith Dorrien Trail, and to my delight, it was already plowed by mid-morning. I biked towards the Peter Lougheed Provincial Park on a completely empty road with slightly falling snow surrounded by trees. Saying it was bliss would be an understatement.
We had a great family stay glamping at Mount Engadine Lodge. I wouldnβt mind if we got stuck there another night, but the road was cleared, and we headed home.
If youβre looking for a nature getaway to enjoy hiking, wildlife watching, or winter sports, I highly recommend staying at Mount Engadine Lodge. Whether you want to visit with your pet or your kids, they accommodate all visitors.
Thank you, Mount Engadine, for hosting our stay. As always, the opinions expressed above are our own.
Fun adventures in Canmore & Kananaskis
- Stand-up paddleboarding at Rundle Forebay or Kananaskis Lakes
- Biking Highwood Pass, the highest paved pass in Canada
- Grassi Lakes Hike
- Little Lougheed Hike
- Ha Ling Peak Hike
- Wild ice skating at Wedge Pond or Barrier Lake
- Biking or cross-country skiing the Goat Creek Trail
- Mountain biking & fat biking in Canmore
- 47 Fun things to do in Canmore (with insider tips)