Gourmet Getaway Guide: Mount Engadine’s All-Inclusive Oasis

Tucked away, deep in the heart of Kananaskis country, is an all-inclusive gourmet destination. Mount Engadine Lodge offers cozy accommodations and deluxe dining in a picturesque mountain valley. And if all that isn’t enough to sway you, how about the fact that this lodge is pet-friendly?! We were able to bring our two Bengal cats with us, and it made our trip even more of a special treat.

Located in the Spray Valley Provincial Park, access to the Engadine area requires travel on gravel roads for a portion of the trip. I’d recommend having a well-equipped winter vehicle if you are making the trek during the snowy season. The drive from Calgary is just over two hours, and around one hour from Canmore. Due to the length of the drive, I would highly recommend staying for more than one night if you can manage it. This way you can spend at least one full day getting to explore the area or just relaxing. Another tip is to bring your own slippers! The main lodge asks that outdoor footwear is kept in the front entrance. Mount Engadine Lodge offers a variety of different ways to stay. You can book a room in the main lodge, stay in one of their quaint cabins, or in a “glamping” tent. All of these are available year-round. Due to the remote location, Mount Engadine Lodge offers a view of untouched wilderness. Surrounding the lodge are various trails, for hiking or cross-country skiing, depending on the season. Overnight guests can use snowshoes free of charge. The lodge also rents a variety of other leisure gear. For the outdoor enthusiasts, there are a variety of seasonal activities offered through their tourism partners. Guests can book cycling rentals/tours, dog-sled rides, ice-fishing trips, and even helicopter tours of the valley. The knowledgeable on-site staff are happy to point guests in the right direction. Mount Engadine Lodge has something for everyone, whether it is adventuring in the great outdoors or relaxing in a cozy wilderness retreat.

The pet-friendly atmosphere of the lodge made it so homey. We saw so many furry friends! At the time, our cats were the only feline guests. There is a little sign in your room welcoming your pets by name and providing them a water dish and a fuzzy pet bed. To include pets in your booking there is an additional fee per night per pet.

As for the food, which is always one of my main interests, the lodge offers all-inclusive dining for every night of your booking. This is a welcome addition to the already luxurious stay and simplifies packing for the trip. They provide a cooked breakfast, bagged picnic lunch (to accompany you on your adventures), laid-back afternoon tea, and a multiple course plated dinner. They are able to cater to any dietary restrictions and arrange this with you well in advance. Dinner is served family style with other guests, but if you prefer to sit by yourself, they are happy to accommodate. The quality of the food was very high-end, especially given the remote location. Meal offerings change daily, but we had:

• Breakfast: A choice of blackberry pancakes or vegetable hash with eggs

• Lunch: Build-your-own sandwich packed lunch with choice of snacks

• Afternoon Tea: Charcuterie board and light dessert

• Dinner: Mushroom & pea risotto, “Surf & Turf” with asparagus and carrot potato puree, and maple crème brûlée

We thoroughly enjoyed our stay at Mount Engadine Lodge. Its all-inclusive dining in an untouched wilderness setting make it a highly unique Albertan destination. Being able to bring our furry family with us made it even more of a special trip.

This article was made possible thanks to Travel Alberta.