Shadow Lake Lodge

Put this picturesque backcountry retreat in Banff National Park on your bucket list. Shadow Lake Lodge sits in a high alpine meadow surrounded by soaring mountains. The luxurious log cabins and gourmet cuisine match the beauty of the spot. Shadow Lake Lodge traces its roots back to 1930. That’s when the Canadian Pacific Railway built a rest house on the present site. The rest house was sold in 1938 to the Brewster family, and construction of new cabins began in 1991. (The original rest house was also restored.) Today, the property is owned by the Alpine Club of Canada. The 11 luxury cabins offer complete privacy and the chance to relax after a day of hiking, cross-country skiing or snowshoeing. Of course, the cabins are also a welcome sight after the 14 km (8.5 mi) hike into Shadow Lake Lodge. (Mountain bikes are permitted on the trail, but only as far as the 10.5 km (6.5 mi) mark. You’ll have to lock your bike on the rack and hike the remaining distance to the lodge.)