The Kananaskis region in Alberta, Canada, is shaping what travelers increasingly look for in a mountain vacation. Anchored by the Pomeroy Kananaskis Mountain Lodge, the area has become a year-round destination for spa days beneath pine canopies, horseback trails and dining that highlights global flavors. The combination reflects a shift toward mountain escapes that balance comfort with direct access to the outdoors.
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I visited in July with my teenage daughter and stayed three days in the Black Diamond Club, the lodge’s newest addition. Opened this year, it offers a quieter and more exclusive retreat with panoramic views, spacious rooms and easy access to dining and spa facilities. The larger Kananaskis Village, which also features the main lodge, was initially built to host events during the 1988 Winter Olympics. Today, the village is a hub for activities both on and off-site.
Dining and cocktails
At the Pomeroy Kananaskis Mountain Lodge and its Black Diamond Club, food and drink are integral to the stay. Buffet breakfasts set the tone, while après-ski and après-hike menus feature on-the-go meals, such as veggie burger and grilled chicken club. Evenings often end around fire pits with s’mores, a tasty activity that draws both families and couples.
The lodge also offers a picnic program, preparing packed lunches that can be enjoyed on or off property. My daughter and I picked one up and drove a short distance to Lower Kananaskis Lake, where we had a lakeside picnic before setting out on a hike. It was a way to extend the lodge experience into the broader landscape without losing the convenience of prepared dining, and we made it back before it started raining.
At the main lodge’s Blacktail Bar, cocktails are shaped by the G7 Global Cocktail Series, a program introduced in honor of the recent summit hosted here. Mixologist Graham Hart said his goal was to draw on both cultural traditions and personal history.
“When crafting the G7 Global Cocktail menu for the Blacktail Bar, I explored the culinary, cultural and cocktail traditions of each member state for inspiration,” Hart said. “Themes were selected based on my experiences as a visitor to the member countries and moments from my childhood. From visiting the world’s oldest pizzeria to the music of Elvis Presley to school field trips to the sugar shack, this menu is both a reflection of my personal experiences and the history of each country.”
One highlight, La Fille en Rose, is a sparkling cocktail served in a ceramic bathtub that has quickly become a guest favorite. I’ve never seen such a creative drink, and it was as delicious as it was fun.
Outdoor experiences
Barrier Lake is one of the most striking landscapes in the region. Mountain peaks surround the man-made reservoir, which is popular for paddleboarding, canoeing and kayaking, with rentals available from Kananaskis Outfitters. My daughter and I spent a morning on the water, and the scenery was unmatched. The lake looks inviting, but the water stays frigid even in July. Luckily, neither of us fell in.
Horseback riding at Boundary Ranch offers another way to experience the landscape. The ranch provides a range of adventures, from multi-hour rides to multi-day expeditions into the backcountry. Beyond trail rides, it serves as an event center, and the grounds are some of the most picturesque in the region. It is the kind of place where you can spend a morning riding through alpine meadows and then return for a barbecue with a backdrop of jagged peaks.
Nearby, the Kananaskis Country Golf Course draws players from around the world. It is common for families or couples to divide their time here, with some heading out on the links while others explore the trails on horseback. I joined golfers on the outdoor patio for lunch, where the views of the surrounding mountains were as memorable as the meal itself. The club has become a popular stop even for non-golfers who want to experience the setting.
In winter, the Nakiska Ski Area, only a short drive from the lodge, provides downhill skiing and snowboarding.
All visitors must purchase a Kananaskis Conservation Pass, as the region is a protected area. If traveling by rental car, the pass is required for the vehicle and can be purchased online in advance or at select kiosks. It is an easy step to overlook, but without it, access to the region is not permitted.
Wellness and cultural connection
The Kananaskis Nordic Spa features a hydrotherapy circuit with hot and cold pools, saunas and steam rooms. The design follows a Nordic tradition of alternating temperatures to combine relaxation with mountain air. I found the quiet routine of moving from steaming pools into cold plunges to be as restorative as the scenery around me. Fire pits and social zones extend the sense of wellness into group settings, creating natural gathering points after a day outdoors.
For cultural context, Indigenous-led medicine walks through Mahikan Trails introduce the knowledge and traditions of the Stoney Nakoda people. These walks highlight land stewardship and respect for the natural environment. Joining one adds a perspective that reshapes how you see the mountains beyond the usual recreation.
A mountain escape worth the journey
Kananaskis shows that a mountain vacation can combine untamed wilderness with refined comfort. In three days, we hiked, rode horses, paddled across a man-made lake, lunched at a golf course patio with mountain views, picnicked at Lower Kananaskis Lake and ended evenings with cocktails and fire pits. The variety of experiences gave my daughter and me a chance to connect in a way that busier destinations rarely allow. If you’re looking for a pristine and less hurried mountain getaway, there’s no place quite like Kananaskis.
Jennifer Allen is a retired chef turned traveler, cookbook author and nationally syndicated journalist; she’s also a co-founder of Food Drink Life, where she shares expert travel tips, cruise insights and luxury destination guides. A recognized cruise expert with a deep passion for high-end experiences and off-the-beaten-path destinations, Jennifer explores the world with curiosity, depth and a storyteller’s perspective. Her articles are regularly featured on the Associated Press Wire, The Washington Post, Seattle Times, MSN and more.