The Most Incredible Mountain Lodge Retreats in Canada for Winter

When you picture Canada in winter, what comes to mind is often the beautiful Banff and Jasper National Parks in Alberta, or the ice-encrusted forests of Quebec. With stunning landscapes, abundant recreational options and full-service resort towns, these regions make an ideal base camp for exploring Canada’s wilderness. Choose one of these lodges in Canada, where you’ll get a warm welcome, easy access to the national parks and winter recreation galore.

The condo-style suites at Stoneridge Mountain Resort are upscale yet practical, with granite countertops, gas fireplaces, oversized soaking tubs and ensuite laundry facilities. Stop by the on-site Blackdog Cafe for some healthy fare and locally roasted coffee before heading into nearby Banff National Park for a day of outdoor fun, then cook up a feast in your suite or have dinner at a downtown Canmore restaurant.

Just 10 people built the Lake Louise Ski Lodge in 1942. Today, the Alberta resort is known as the Post Hotel, part of the high-end Relais & Chateaux group. Choose from a variety of rooms, suites and cabins. The Post Hotel luxury lodge in Canada’s Rocky Mountain range has long been a destination for food lovers, with creative cuisine and one of Canada’s most renowned wine cellars. Other amenities include an indoor saltwater pool and the Temple Mountain Spa.

While many Banff-area hotels have mountain views, this one is actually atop Tunnel Mountain, also known as Buffalo Mountain. The rooms have contemporary furniture, feather duvets and pillows, as well as wood-burning fieldstone fireplaces. Sleeping Buffalo Dining Room serves food all day, and the restaurants and shops of downtown Banff are close by, as is a multitude of winter recreational riches.

The slopes of Sunshine Village are at your doorstep here on the Alberta-British Columbia border. Rooms at this Canadian lodge are rustic with modern amenities, such as spa-like bathrooms and remote-control shutters that reveal floor-to-ceiling views. Amenities include one of Banff’s biggest hot tubs, a cedar-lined sauna and a selection of restaurants. Sunshine Mountain is as well known for its summer alpine fun as for its superb winter sports.

Hidden Ridge occupies a prime location, close to Banff town but still on Tunnel Mountain. On site, there is a selection of condos, some with lofts and all with full kitchens and fireplaces. The neighborhood-like grounds that surround this lodge in Canada include two year-round pools and a barbecue area that remains open in winter. Complimentary local bus passes are an especially welcome touch for the quick trip to the restaurants of downtown Banff.

This in-town choice in Banff has the look of a grand mountain lodge. The spacious rooms and suites are outfitted with comfy beds, rain showers and whimsical decor featuring the hotel’s namesake animal. Take a dip in one of two rooftop hot pools (or the indoor pool) after a day of sightseeing. Pacini, the on-site Italian restaurant, serves all day and offers room service.

Each chalet-style room at this Jasper-area resort has lake and mountain views, and some have a kitchenette. Resort staff will set you up for an array of outdoor activities in any season, including cross-country skiing, horse-drawn sleigh rides and fat-tire biking in winter. The lakeside Pines Restaurant is open all year. Check out the Dark Sky and Dinner combination, with a three-course meal followed by astronomer-led stargazing beneath Jasper’s ink-black skies.

Surrounded by Rocky Mountain peaks in Yoho National Park, and located on its namesake lake, the award-winning Emerald Lake Lodge in Canada is a beautiful retreat in winter. Its cozy rooms and suites include wood-burning fireplaces, sitting rooms and balconies. The lodge is home to the Mount Burgess dining room and Kicking Horse Lounge, which has a selection of more than 400 local, national and international wines. Spend your time relaxing or exploring the impressive Rockies.

Immerse yourself in nature with this stay in the heart of Quebec’s Matane Wildlife Reserve. Surrounded by snowy wilderness, it is the perfect spot to enjoy hok skiing (a cross between snowshoeing and skiing), splitboarding, snowshoeing, and alpine touring. There are 18 rooms in total, decked out in traditional lodge style, plus a communal outdoor hot tub with incredible views. Kick off your damp boots and enjoy a hot caribou (mulled wine) by the roaring lobby fire.

Located in the Monashee Mountains, just south of Revelstoke in British Columbia, Canada, Sol Mountain Lodge is primarily a backcountry skiing lodge. Wake up at 6,200ft (1,900m) above sea level, with 30,000 acres (12,000ha) of terrain to explore on your doorstep. Inside the three-story lodge, rooms are fairly basic but you won’t be spending much time in them anyway. Take advantage of the wood-fired sauna and cozy communal lounge, where you can swap stories of the day’s adventures.

The family-owned and operated Storm Mountain Lodge is in Banff National Park, one of Canada’s most visited regions. Its elegant and historic log cabins come equipped with modern amenities, such as wifi, kitchenettes and televisions. The dining room and lounge serve food all day, and feature an all-Canadian menu and wine list. From Storm Mountain Lodge, you can easily visit Banff, Kootenay and Yoho National Parks.

The luxurious Le Grand Lodge is the perfect mountain base in Mont-Tremblant, Quebec. For skiers and boarders, there is storage for your kit, a shuttle to the slopes, rentals and repairs at the on-site ski shop and après-ski specials in the early evening. It has two restaurants, a spa and a 65ft (20m) indoor pool. Choose between cozy rooms or luxurious suites. Remember, Mont-Tremblant is a great place to visit in winter for non-skiers too.

Located in Yoho National Park, and a short drive from Lake Louise, Cathedral Mountain Lodge is perfectly placed for a winter adventure. Choose between premiere and deluxe cabins, each with custom king-sized beds, L’Occitane bath products and river rock fireplaces. The luxury lodge, which is perfect for a romantic getaways, also has complimentary amenities such as a market-fresh breakfast as well as afternoon tea and cookies. The on-site Riverside Dining Room offers organic dishes prepared with fresh, local ingredients.
Headed on a Canada-wide adventure? We have all your accommodation needs covered. From the best eco-retreats in the Maritimes to the top ski-resorts for all skill levels, and even more lodges for some much-needed R&R, they’re all bookable with Culture Trip.

Hayley Simpson contributed additional reporting to this article.

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