Canada Vacations

British Columbia Luxury Hotels and Resorts

Emerald Lake Lodge, British Colombia Vacations, Honeymoons Luxury Hotel Packages

Yesterday's travellers were adventurers in search of the extraordinary. They came by rail and horse-drawn coach to a summer retreat on the shores of exquisite Emerald Lake. Legendary guide Tom Wilson first discovered Emerald Lake in 1882 during the construction of the Canadian Pacific Railway. The CPR built the original guest lodge in 1902. By the mid-1920s the lodge had been expanded and road improvements made it possible to reach the resort by car.

Since then, the Canadian Government has permitted no additional development. Now the area remains one of Canada's most outstanding year-round accessible wilderness settings. Following extensive renovations in 1986, Emerald Lake Lodge re-opened as an exclusive year-round vacation and business destination. The historic Lodge remains the heart of the resort, which is located in Yoho National Park, just 25 miles west of Lake Louise.

Built of hand-hewn timber and featuring massive stone fireplaces, the Lodge includes a formal dining room, quiet reading and sitting rooms, conference facilities and a games room. The lounge is enhanced by an oak bar salvaged from an 1890's Yukon saloon. From upper or lower large verandahs, the visions nature presents are as fresh and breath-taking as ever. As in the past, Emerald Lake proudly welcomes those in search of the extraordinary.

Emerald Lake Lodge Accommodations

A respect for the past characterizes the accommodations at Emerald Lake Lodge. Dotting the 13-acre peninsula are 24 cabin-style buildings (accommodating up to 200 guests), newly built to reflect the traditional architecture of the Lodge. Rooms have private baths, balconies and wood burning fieldstone fireplaces, which are stocked daily with complimentary firewood. Room amenities include feather duvets and pillows, telephones, in-room coffee makers, hair dryers, and alarm clocks.

Lodge Room: Lodge rooms have one queen-size bed, one king-size bed or two double beds, a sitting area in front of the fireplace and a private balcony.

Lake Room: Lake rooms have one king-size bed, a spacious sitting area with a double pull out sofa in front of the fireplace and a private balcony overlooking the lake.

Emerald Suite: Emerald suites are available in two configurations: studios or one bedroom suites. Rooms have one queen-size bed, spacious sitting area with double pull out sofa in front of the fireplace. Private half wrap around balcony overlooking the lake.

Point Cabin: The Lodge's most exclusive suite. It has a master bedroom with king-size bed, French doors lead to a spacious living area with a double pull out sofa. Room offers one and a half bathrooms including a whirlpool bath, a dining area with refrigerator, wrap around balcony and the premier view of Emerald Lake.

Emerald Lake Lodge Dining

In our dining room, lounge and bar you can sample Rocky Mountain Cuisine, the roots of which go back to both the lavish Victorian cooking from the CPR rail cars and the hearty meats prepared by Swiss and Austrian mountain guides.

All dishes are artfully presented and professionally served. Our wine list is extensive and features many award winning Canadian wines from central British Columbia, and includes a large selection of hard to find vintners' reserve wines.

Our wine list received the coveted Wine Spectator “Best of Award of Excellence” in 2004 and boasts over 400 outstanding local and international selections.

Mount Burgess Dining Room
Given the settings of these restaurants, we felt that an adaptation of the California Cuisine concept was called for. We added the influences of our Native Indian past, local wild game and our own creativity and culinary expertise. The result is true to the spirit of California Cuisine, but more rustic and hearty than you would find in the city and completely unique.

Kicking Horse Lounge
Open daily from 11am - 11pm, featuring an "all day menu".  Lounge closes at 10pm in winter.

Cilantro On The Lake
At Emerald Lake we have created a magnificent post and beam architectural structure. The photos, though accurate, cannot fully convey the beauty of the open-timber, vaulted-ceiling mountain lodge and its surroundings. It achieves a successful integration with the Emerald Lake historic lodge and the soft elegance of the emerald-green lake. In the winter months we use the Cilantro lodge as a conference facility, opening in the summer for restaurant business.

Emerald Lake Lodge Activities

Summer Activities
Hiking, Rock Climbing and Day Tours
Explore the second highest waterfall in Canada - Takakkaw Falls, the beauty of Lake O'Hara, the Natural Bridge, the Burgess Shale or the Spiral Tunnels (the CPR train track inside a mountain). We can also arrange guides or provide maps and directions. The surrounding mountains and wilderness offer something for every level of hiking/mountaineering experience and fitness.

White Water Rafting
White water rafting down the Kicking Horse River, exhilarating and wet! Numerous outfitters available.

Canoeing
The nearby boathouse rents canoes and accessories to our guests - an excellent way to fully appreciate the beauty and tranquility of Emerald Lake. All with the magnificent Mount Burgess towering overhead.

Fishing
Fishing is available at Emerald Lake from July 1st - October 31st (Please note permits are required) Other nearby fishing spots are: Wapta Lake, Ross Lake, Moraine Lake, Kicking Horse River and Fly Fishing in Golden.

Winter Activities
X-Country Skiing & Snowshoeing
There are numerous established and brand new trails around Emerald Lake that are marked and mapped. Ski rentals and instruction are available.

Downhill Skiing
The Canadian Rocky Mountains are home to some of the best skiing in North America, consistently ranked alongside Whistler/Blackcomb and Vail/Aspen. During the ski season a free shuttle bus operates between the Lake Louise Ski Area and the Lodge. Other nearby ski resorts are:

• Lake Louise
• Sunshine Village
• Mount Norquay
• Kicking Horse

Ice Skating
A portion of Emerald Lake near Cilantro is cleared for ice skating.

Other winter activities available in the area:

• Snowmobiling
• Waterfall Ice Climbing
• Tobogganing
• Ice Fishing
• Dog Sledding

Weddings

Emerald Lake Lodge is the perfect location for a wedding in the mountains. The Lodge features three rooms that can accommodate weddings up to 80 people. The Lodge features our renowned Rocky Mountain Cuisine and our award winning wine list. The Lodge is surrounded by twenty-four cabin-style buildings, which include eighty-five guest units built to reflect the traditional architecture of the original lodge. Each room features a fieldstone fireplace, a down duvet, and a private balcony with a spectacular mountain view.

Emerald Lake Lodge has an outdoor ceremony area for smaller weddings that is located on the shores of the lake overlooking the spectacular mountain views.

Our Conference team can help you coordinate a complete meeting package. This includes making available all necessary audio/visual equipment or presentation material, arranging for decorations and displays.

Emerald Lake Lodge, British Colombia, Canada Vacations

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