As the road winds up, large cedar trees loom over and suddenly Island Lake Lodge appears out of nowhere.
It’s nothing but the best at Island Lake Lodge. With executive chef Keith Farkas creating culinary treats from their new menu, your taste buds will go on a journey you’ll want to return to.
The service is friendly and elegant with a touch of class in the most aesthetically pleasing subalpine valley. Patios line the Tamarack dining room and the Bear Lodge, the perfect place to soak up the mountain scenery and fresh air while waiting to sample some of the lodge's fine food and maybe a bottle from the extensive wine cellar.
Date night is every Monday and wine pairing evenings on Wednesdays are the specials for the summer and offer great value.
The guided hikes on the well maintained trails into the alpine are highly recommended. The knowledgeable guides will share a wealth of information about the terrain, wildflowers and local history.
Megan Kelly, ACMG hiking guide, knows her way around Island Lake Lodge's trails departing in all directions and gave tips on safety conscious radio check ins, using bear spray, and letting wildlife know you are there. Comfort in the backcountry does not mean complacency. Knowledge gained on the wildflowers, tree species, lichen and terrain made it worth the time going with a guide and helped me get my bearing of the mountain pass names.
The best thing after a hike in the sun is a cool drink and the lodge has a great selection to quench your thirst. My favourite was the Geisha, named after the alpine basin opposite the lodge where cat skiers leave their mark in the winter season - their delicious version of a mojito.
You don’t need hiking boots to enjoy the surroundings. Their Mountain Spa is open for luxury treatments. Sit on one of the two patios for refreshment or rent a canoe for an hour or a day to paddle around the tree lined lake with 360-degree mountain views. Island Lake Lodge is the perfect day or weekend retreat.
Their Mountain Spa is open for luxury treatments. Sit on one of the two patios for refreshment or rent a canoe for an hour or a day to paddle around the tree lined lake with 360-degree mountain views. Island Lake Lodge is the perfect day or weekend retreat. For more information, contact www.islandlakelodge.com.