Welcoming visitors since 1926, Lake O’Hara Lodge is a backcountry hiking and skiing retreat in the heart of the Canadian Rockies. Eleven kilometres from the nearest road, this truly unique, offthe-grid escape is nestled in British Columbia’s Yoho National Park. The world-renowned Rocky Mountains are just steps away, offering an outdoor playground to explore the beautiful terrain through a myriad of hiking, skiing, and snowshoeing experiences. For guests interested in climbing one of the many peaks that surround the lodge, the Certified International Mountain Guides will lead you to views only seen by a handful of people. After your alpine adventure, warm-up by the roaring fire and enjoy a gourmet meal prepared with local in-season ingredients accompanied by a well-deserved glass of wine from the award winning British Columbia wine list.
With hot showers, claw foot bathtubs and thick goose down comforters to keep you warm and cozy in our beds,we have the perfect place for you to relax after an amazing day of hiking or skiing.
| TYPE OF ROOM | NUMBER OF ROOMS | DESCRIPTION OF ROOM |
|---|---|---|
| Lodge Room | 8 | The historic main Lodge features eight rooms, each with two twin beds. Enjoy a soak in the claw foot tub after a long day spent exploring the outdoors. |
| Lakeshore Cabin | 11 | With the shores of Lake O’Hara literally at your doorstep, these cozy one bedroom cabins are the definition of a mountain retreat. A queen bed hand crafted by a local artisan is complemented by a day bed to relax and read a book. After a day in the snow, curl up under a Hudson Bay blanket on your deck and watch the mountains change as the day comes to a close. |
| Guide Cabin | 4 | Named for the original Swiss Guides; Aemmer, Feuz, Hasler and Sarbach brought over by the Canadian Pacific Railway, these cabins are located on a knoll which commands an impressive sweeping view of the area. A large deck, bedroom with a queen bed, sitting area with a pull down murphy bed and pull out couch, and a full bath allow couples or families to relax in comfort. |
History
Since its construction in 1926, the Lodge itself has developed a reputation for being the perfect place to get away from day-to-day distractions, be immersed in a true alpine wilderness paradise, and experience the very best in alpine accommodations all at once. When you combine the pristine mountain lake setting with our fine dining and warm friendly service, the result is an experience that is truly magical and memorable no matter what season you decide to visit, what brings you to our Lodge, or how long you stay.
O’Hara Family
Over the past 90 years, three generations of families have looked after Lake O’Hara Lodge. The O’Hara family also extends to our staff. A team of dedicated people from across Canada and the globe, they create a welcoming experience like no other. Whether they are cooking gourmet meals, making beds or hiking the trails, they are as excited as our guests to spend time in one of nature’s great cathedrals.
ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP
Environmental thinking is prevalent throughout our operation and we are continually exploring opportunities which will help us to lessen our footprint. Here are some of the ways we go about protecting nature and minimizing our environmental footprint:
- Utilize native plants and shrubs saved from the road allowance, to reclaim disturbed areas.
- Avoid phosphorus based laundry soaps and dishwashing soaps which can be hard on aquatic environments.
- Offer financial support to the Lake O’Hara Trails Club, which seeks to maintain the area trails and help hikers enjoy the trails responsibly.
- Make use of LED technology in our low level path lighting as well as in our back areas of the lodge.
- Purchase seasonal produce from local producers, minimizing the environmental costs of food transportation in addition to supporting our local economy.
- Support our regional vineyards, which allows us to boast a wine list composed exclusively of award-winning British Columbia wines.
- Have an extensive in-house recycling program for paper, glass, tin and plastic products to ensure nothing is wasted.
- Support local charities through both in-kind and financial contributions.
- Contributing financial and in-kind support for ongoing environmental research activities in conjunction with various academic and government institutions.
- Utilize the latest membrane technology to treat our wastewater.
EXPERIENCES
THE BEGINNING OF ALPINE SERENITY
Lake O’Hara Lodge offers an authentic backcountry experience for visitors to enjoy the magic of the area. The area offers a myriad of hiking and skiing experiences ranging from gentle strolls through alpine meadows to challenging high-alpine routes. Others choose to pack their paints or cameras and venture to a quiet spot, where the beauty of the moment can be captured. For guests interested in climbing one of the many peaks that surround us, certified International Mountain Guides are available for hire.
Your time at Lake O’Hara isn’t complete without a winter visit to this magical place. Soft powder transforms the area into a winter wonderland that our guests enjoy under the careful guidance of an experienced mountain guide.
EXPERIENCES: WINTER
Winter season at Lake O’Hara Lodge, which begins late in January and typically ends in early April, gives guests an opportunity to experience the very definition of a true Canadian experience in the Rockies for themselves. During the winter months blankets of powder snow transform the dramatic relief of the surrounding mountains into gentle curves and folds. The land feels hushed, as if Mother Nature herself has gone into hibernation. This creates the perfect setting for winter activities.
Winter Activities at Lake O’Hara Lodge
With plenty of terrain for skiing and snowshoeing, we have many options available for beginners and intermediate backcountry enthusiasts. Whether you want to take it easy or give yourself a challenge, we are here to help facilitate the experience. With the surge in popularity of backcountry skiing, our terrain and staff are well suited to make your first experience a positively memorable one. Our team of guides will lead you to magical destinations all the while offering tips, advice and plenty of stories to keep you going. In the winter all of our excursions are guided. This allows us to ensure that you have a safe and enjoyable experience. Following a day adventuring in the snow, guests can enjoy a steaming glass of hot cocoa or gluwein by our stone fireplace followed by a trip to our cozy repurposed wood fired sauna. As the sun dips behind the mountains casting its fleeting alpine glow, you will sense that something wonderful is being created in our kitchen as your nose starts to tingle.
EXPERIENCES: SUMMER / FALL
Our summer and fall season at Lake O’Hara Lodge, which runs from mid-June to early October, brings the best of long days in a pristine mountain setting. The warm summer days don’t just bathe the lake in sunshine, but melt away the winter snows to reveal a system of hiking trails second to none. Weaving around numerous mountain lakes, through meadows of wildflowers or traversing high alpine ledges, there is a trail for everyone. Come mid-September the changing colours of the larch trees add spectacular highlights to the landscape; casting a golden glow onto the forest floor.
Summer Activities at Lake O’Hara Lodge
In the summer, most of our guests take advantage of the extensive network of hiking trails in the area. There are hiking trails for every skill and ambition level. At the end of the day or after enjoying a gourmet meal, our canoes and rowboats allow you to experience the calm waters of Lake O’Hara. If you prefer to exercise your creativity instead, the area offers virtually endless opportunities for painting and photography. Both professionals and amateurs around the world consider our naturally beautiful setting to be a once-in-a-lifetime chance to explore their art. Sitting at the apex of the Canadian Rockies mountaineers from around the world have been coming to the area to climb the glaciated peaks. If you want to take your hiking to another level, certified International Mountain Guides are available for your assistance. Their gentle and professional manner will safely guide the experience whether it be a scramble up one of the nearby peaks or a trip to the summit of Mount Victoria.
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