My fall ritual at Emerald Lake Lodge
Getting away in the fall has become a bit of a ritual for me. It’s perfect timing for me to take some time to myself after the busy summer and before the rush of Christmas.
I’m a creature of habit, so I believe why mess with a good thing? I went to Emerald Lake Lodge last fall with a group of friends and I’ve been eager to go back. This year, my friend Juliana and I escaped for a weekend! Located in Yoho National Park about two hours from Calgary, tucked right into the Rockies along beautiful Emerald Lake, it’s a truly special place that strikes a perfect balance for me: time for solitude & reflection, outdoor activities and indulgence with its cozy in-cabin fireplaces, outdoor hot tub and sauna, and incredible Canadian food & wine. One of my favorite parts about Emerald Lake Lodge is that it forces you to disconnect – something that I rarely get a chance to do these days! There’s limited reception and Wi-Fi in the main lodge only. I think this is such a treat for a few days and it really forces me to be in the moment. I’m officially making fall my time each year to carve out a couple days for myself! It’s a great time to book a getaway before winter really hits.
It doesn’t take long for me to unwind. I love the drive out and could slowly feel myself relaxing as we made our way. Before we checked in, we stopped in at the natural bridge right nearby – I would highly recommend checking it out! Driving into Emerald Lake Lodge never ceases to amaze me. The cabins nestled in the mountains and along the lake are so inviting.
Once we’d checked in, we cozied up in our cabins before dinner around the fireplace in our cabin with a glass of wine and caught up. We made our way in for dinner at the Mount Burgess Dining Room – the food was amazing as always. The menu is Canadian-inspired and the wine list is unreal. I loved the halibut and Juliana had the lamb chops, and we each had a couple glasses of wine, of course.
After dinner, we hit the outdoor hot tub which was a quick walk from our cabins. I could soak out there for hours! We hit that hot tub a few times over our stay. It’s so cool that you can take in the mountain view and the stars, so quiet and peaceful.
I always sleep so well in the cozy quiet cabins. Sipping my morning coffee while looking at the lake is probably my favorite part.
The cabins are so cozy, I can see how it would be tempting to curl up by the fire (especially when the snow starts to fall!) with a book and not leave, but Juliana and I were energized and inspired to get out and soak in the beautiful fall weather. We ventured out for a hike on Saturday afternoon. There’s a great easy loop right around the Lake, you don’t even need to leave the property to access trails for all levels, and you can explore further if you’re looking for something more challenging. I’ll admit - we got a little lost but we ended up exactly where we wanted to be at Hamilton Falls. We worked up an appetite, went into the lodge after for a burger and a bowl of soup, and we were ready to soak in the hot tub again.
It’s so important to take these little getaways when you can, especially as a mom. I came back feeling refreshed and relaxed and ready to get right back into our daily routine. I feel so lucky that I get to do this and that I’m able sneak away. It keeps me balanced!
I’d recommend booking your getaway sooner than later at Emerald Lake Lodge or any of the beautiful Canadian Rocky Mountain Resorts (CRMR)!
