Summer Media Kit 1
Table of Contents Welcome to Where We Call Home 3 The Island Lake Lodge Bucket List 4 The Island Lake Lodge Nifty Guide to Summer Escapades 5 Not to Miss Fernie Adventures 7 Island Lake Lodge Recommended The Ultimate Day Hike Heiko s Trail 9 New to the Collection 15 And The Cocktails Are Pretty Delicious Too 16 Five Minutes with Executive Chef Keith Farkas 18 Taste a Little Island Lake Lodge at Home Recipes from Our Kitchen 19 Island Lake Lodge Loves Local 21 Pamper Al Fresco Experience Spa the Island Lake Lodge Way 22 The Diamond in the Rockies Weddings to Remember for a Lifetime 26 Spectacular Beauty at Every Turn The Iconic Spots of Island Lake Lodge 27 Map of Island Lake Lodge 28 Island Lake Lodge Media Contacts 28 2
Welcome to Where We Call Home 49 5089 N 115 1755 W Those that have travelled to or even just passed through the town of Fernie will tell you that this small charming mountain town leaves nothing short of a big impression It s the kind of place that entices you in and then makes you want to stay a while You can be at one with the locals here and you ll find yourself feeling at home very very quickly Located in the Elk Valley of the East Kootenay region of B C Fernie is 70km west of the Alberta border and 68km north of the US boundary Its historic streets are home to a dynamic community of avid adventurers artisans craft makers athletes ski bums and those that came for a season and never left Downtown there s a vibrant melting pot of local spirit heritage arts and a welcoming strip of apr s caf culture This is where you ll find locally crafted beer family owned bistros and wine bars independent coffee houses and mountain boutiques But it s not all this that Fernie s residents came here for they came for the dramatic summits the powder runs the dirt trails and the mountain ranges that engulf the streets they now call home And if you know Fernie chances are you ll have heard of Island Lake Famed for being a location of choice for ski and boarder pros over the last three decades Island Lake has earned itself a legendary reputation as a cat ski paradise capable of satisfying even the most demanding of powder hounds Having graced the pages of every major ski publication in North America Island Lake s 7000 acres of skiable terrain plays host to snow seekers from around the world allured by the Champagne powder found within the jagged peaks of the Lizard Range But what about when the snow disappears and alpine green is the colour of the season Summers at Island Lake are still somewhat of a B C secret and can be as hard core or as gentle as lodge dwellers choose Those that have discovered Island Lake in the summertime settle into the rustic comfort of home away from home hospitality They soothe post hike muscles in the spa and enjoy some quality me time They sip Okanagan wines on the patio and devour homemade dishes created with passion and a loyalty to regional produce They simply sit back and enjoy that view This is summer at Island Lake Lodge 3
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The Island Lake Lodge Bucket List Paddle hike drink relax and eat your way to happiness in the mountains It s tempting to spend your entire stay at Island Lake Lodge staring up at the iconic mountains that tower above the resort from the comfort of the sunny patio at Bear Lodge But there s so much to do in this backcountry paradise that it would be a shame not to see those peaks up close or experience the lodge beyond its famous happy hour spot To make the most of your stay make sure you add the following excursions and indulgences to your itinerary CANOE ON ISLAND LAKE Start the day with a meditative paddle on tranquil Island Lake Rent a canoe from Bear Lodge canoe rentals available hike the short trail down to the water s edge and then slowly maneuver the classic Canadian watercraft around the small island in the middle that gives the lake its name You might spot tadpoles skimming along the surface or ducklings paddling in the distance If you re lucky you ll see the mama moose that swims out to the island every spring to give birth and her calf HIKE THE SPINEBACK TRAIL This spectacular day hike starts from Island Lake and ascends a ridge depositing hikers high in the alpine over a distance of just 3 5 kilometers The moderately strenuous hike is worth the effort you ll walk beneath towering spruce trees and negotiate a boulder field before emerging into the wildflower studded high country where a bench is conveniently placed for a well deserved rest The valley views are breathtaking with Island Lake visible far below and you ll be amazed how high you ve climbed in just two hours Continue on to a second bench nestled in the cirque between Papa Bear and Baby Bear two of the Lizard Range s Three Bears peaks for a bird s eye view of the town of Fernie then make a beeline back to the lodge for happy hour SIP A SUNNY SIDE ON THE PATIO AT BEAR LODGE Your reward for a day of outdoor exertion should be a cold drink at the best happy hour venue in the Fernie area Not only is the Bear Lodge patio sunny it boasts the best view in town a look at the Three Bears vio of iconic peaks across the valley that loom above the lodge Order a Sunny Side cocktail which is a refreshing lavenderinfused lemonade that s spiked with Spirit Bear gin and garnished with a nasturtium Other fantastic drinks include the Geisha House which is a twist on a mojito with raspberry juice and Chambord or The Bear a short maple bourbon number that will make you anything but grumpy 5
INDULGE IN A RELAXATION AROMATHERAPY MASSAGE BIKE THE LAZY LIZARD TRAIL This is one for all adventurer levels and a perfect trail for even the smaller mountain bikers in your life Hit the saddle and prepare to take the wide smooth Lazy Lizard track through dense rainforest and giant ancient trees Built by locals from the joint support of The Fernie Trail Alliance The Fernie Mountain Bike Club Fernie Trails and Ski Touring Club Columbia Basin Trust ZINC Ventures Resort Municipality Initiative private donations and Island Lake Lodge the 7km trail can be ridden in either direction from the lodge start from the north side of the Island Lake property gate following the road down to the town of Fernie or vice versa elevation gain of 339 metres It s hard to beat a hot tub with a view after a long hike but The Spa at Island Lake takes relaxation to the next level with its aromatherapy massages Sink into the cushy massage table while the therapist rubs a local handcrafted essential oil blend chosen based on what she thinks your body needs into those fatigued glutes quads and calves If your legs were shaking bowls of jelly on the descent down Spineback Trail they will be transformed into puddles of bliss after an hour in the therapy room Need to mention dayspa in Fernie for SEO value Also diverse mix of treatments and unique features i e relaxation in nature INGEST A TO DIE FOR DINNER AT TAMARACK DINING ROOM End the day on a delicious note inside the casual yet elegant Tamarack Dining Room Executive chef Keith Farkas and his team do their best to source local produce organic and traditionallyraised foods and sustainable seafood and then put their talent to the test by turning it into some of the Elk Valley s best fare Savour the hand rolled ravioli stuffed with rich Dungeness crab or feed your protein starved muscles with slow braised bison short ribs decadently served with truffled cheddar polenta fries and veggies roasted in red wine sauce After all that you will collapse under your down duvet while the summer sky fades to indigo 6
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The Island Lake Lodge Nifty Guide to Summer Escapades 5 Not to Miss Fernie Adventures So you ve seen the Bucket List items for Island Lake Lodge but we re also pretty stoked that we get to call Fernie home There s so much to do and see in this charming mountain town attracting outdoorsy types adventure seekers and lovers of the season all year round Here we ve created the Island Lake Lodge Guide to what not to miss on a summer trip to Fernie 1 FIND YOUR INNER FLY FISHERMAN IN TROUTTOWN 2 In recent years Fernie has earned itself the nickname of TroutTown becoming one of the finest spots to cast your line With its pristine waters classic freestone rivers and clear lakes it s not hard to see why its quickly becoming one of the best fly fishing locations in the world Take a note September is one of the best months to visit for a fly fish experience the extra clear water makes for the perfect conditions for dry fly fishing and the native Cutthroat Trout and Bull Trout are plentiful Local fly fish operators are on hand to show you to the best spots along the river and help you perfect your fishing skill fly fish experiences are available from the desk of Island Lake Lodge HIT THE WATER IN A KAYAK CANOE RAFT OR PADDLEBOARD Fernie s lakes and river waterways make for a whole lot of fun on the water Whether it s a guided whitewater rafting tour a kayaking expedition or a relaxing afternoon spent paddleboarding on the lake Fernie is the place to discover your favourite way to enjoy the crystal clear waters and have an awesome time doing it 8
3 WORK UP A SWEAT RUNNING TRAILS The morning run takes on a whole new dimension in Fernie Locals will tell you that a sunrise trail run is one of the best ways to get the heart racing while exploring the area s playground of pathways Reach a summit and then stay a while to admire the view you ve earned it From Island Lake Lodge the Lazy Lizard is a perfect trail to choose taking you through dense forest of ancient cedars Or Castle Mountain close by is a fun single track with impressive views and for the hardcore try Mount Fernie 4 TAKE ON A CHALLENGING DAY HIKE 5 Hiking is one way we like to spend our days in and around the lodge during the summertime The trail options are vast but we suggest starting out early one day and giving yourself enough time to take on the challenge of a day hike through Fernie s diverse terrain We have to mention the must do Heiko s Trail but that s just the beginning For those that want to take their hiking to the next level Island Lake Lodge s certified hiking guides can show you the way and reveal lots of fascinating facts about the region along the trek Island Lake Lodge s own hiking guides offer one on one or group day hike experiences of some of the standout scrambles in the area DISCOVER FERNIE ON TWO WHEELS There s no doubting it Fernie is a mountain biker s town Jumping on the saddle of your bike for some downhill or cross country action is a way of life around here Fernie s trail system is a playground for your two wheels and offers everything from easy intermediate to difficult levels of terrain With over 90 trails to ride discovering Fernie by mountain bike is one cool way to get around the place with some guaranteed wow moments along the way 9
Island Lake Lodge Recommended The Ultimate Day Hike Heiko s Trail By Lisa Kadane There are day hikes and then there s Heiko s Trail This epic trek also called the Mountain Lakes Trail covers 20 kilometres and crosses three passes in the mountainous backcountry near Fernie B C ending at Island Lake Lodge It s only hiked by about 100 people every summer make sure you re one of them I m an avid hiker and like to try new trails in the Canadian Rockies whenever I can I d heard whispers of Heiko s Trail from Fernie locals for years so a couple of summers ago I set off with my husband and Rick Emmerson an ACMG certified guide from Island Lake Lodge to tackle the trail in early August during the peak of wildflower season We started hiking from the trailhead off Hartley Lake Road toward our distant destination with plenty of food and loads of water after the first three or so clicks there aren t a lot of options to refresh the Camelbak and climbed straight up into what looked like dense rainforest We crossed streams and giant felled trees aided by wooden ladders bridges and a series of notched logs that acted like stairs in the steeper sections By the time we reached Bisaro Cave a gaping cavern eroded into the side of a mountain I knew the trail was something special 10
Longtime Fernie resident Heiko Socher pioneered this trail during the summer of 2000 It took four years and innumerable volunteer hours to build and the engineering alone is remarkable two steel bridges had to be helicoptered into the backcountry to ensure hikers can safety traverse Bisaro Canyon Heiko s Trail is now maintained by the Fernie Trail Alliance It s the trail s diversity that makes it a must In just 20 kilometres you crest three passes and gain a total of 1 200 metres elevation which is pretty impressive but the hike is much more than mountain views and alpine meadows You ascend through a rainforest see a waterfall explode out of a hole in the side of a cliff explore a cave and cross a deep canyon churning with runoff Heiko s Trail is also a magnet for wildlife though the only animals we saw of note were a few other hikers sporting compression socks Our guide said he has seen plenty of the four legged variety during his dozens of trips through the back of beyond including moose elk mountain sheep and even grizzlies from what he calls a safe distance We saw no bears even when passing through a vast meadow thigh high with false hellebore what Emmerson referred to as prime bear habitat likely because of his dutiful cries of Ey O which are intended to alert them to our presence If you go You can hire an ACMG certified hiking guide from Island Lake lodge to lead your group on Heiko s Trail 99 per person The trail can be hiked through Thanksgiving or until the first snowfall Be sure to organize a car drop at Island Lake Lodge prior to setting out so you can shuttle back to the trail head after the hike I m not gonna lie the final five kilometer descent down to Island Lake Lodge from the last pass through a dense forest of tamarack and spruce felt like a slog After all by then we were nearing hour eight of our full day excursion But one sip of cold beer on the Bear Bistro patio at Island Lake Lodge set it all to rights We collapsed into our chairs high fived each other over our epic accomplishment and toasted Fernie s best day hike 11
Dining at Island Lake Lodge is a Feast for the Senses You can literally eat the scenery at Island Lake Lodge Not the grey jagged peaks of the Lizard Range which make up the view from the lodge s two restaurants but the foliage that colours the landscape Look closely in your salad dessert or cocktail and you ll see pesto ground from the fireweed that lines the access road and mountain trails amber syrup boiled from cedar boughs purple huckleberries foraged from bushes and orange nasturtium garnishes plucked from hanging baskets around the property 12
It s our connection to the landscape explains Executive Chef Keith Farkas who has been perfecting the menu at Island Lake Lodge near Fernie B C for eight years He wants the lodge s spectacular setting in the Canadian Rockies to be reflected on the menu That means asking the lodge s trail crew to forage fireweed or wild berries for the kitchen while they re out maintaining and building hiking and ski trails during the summer It also means incorporating nature s more unusual items into dishes Farkas and his staff scour the forest for fiddlehead ferns or pick plants from around the lodge such as stinging nettles for soups for example the young leaves and smaller leaves are edible and Farkas likens them to spinach on steroids The chef also buys ingredients grown or raised locally in Fernie and the surrounding Elk Valley including honey from Elk River Apiaries elk for the house made elk chorizo and the greens tossed into the popular market salad 13
I m the guy at the Fernie Farmer s Market every Sunday with bags and bags of fresh produce he says I have a personal relationship with the farmers I like to know where our produce is coming from Nothing is overly complicated but everything is flavourful relatable and filling The nightly feast is accompanied by cocktails crafted to refresh after a day outside or by a bottle from the extensive wine library It s a difference you can taste The market salad is fresh and green as if it s just been snipped from your garden and drizzled with a tangy slightly bitter fireweed pesto The Ocean Wise Pacific halibut is grilled perfectly and comes on a mountain inspired paella of pearl barley tender summer squash clams spicy elk chorizo and wild mushrooms The rich bison short ribs which are paired with the lodge s legendary truffled cheddar polenta fries sells out almost nightly and has been a staple on the menu for years Pastry chef Catherine Chartrand completes the culinary trifecta with desserts that range from lime and basil cr me brulee to sorbet with fresh berries and she makes everything herself One excellent choice for diners is The Three Bears Blend produced exclusively for Island Lake Lodge by BC Wine Studio in the Okanagan Falls The Three Bears white blend is created from South Okanagan fruits featuring flavours of lemon zest and crisp apple Riesling fermented in stainless steel and a Viognier aged in Acacia barrels For the red expect a bold red Meritage blend with rich lengthy tannins laced with dark fruit and subtle spice thanks to its 22 months resting in 100 French Oak It s surprising to arrive at a mountain lodge that feels off the grid but delivers cuisine that s in tune with urban tastes and trends Indeed the experience of arriving at Island Lake is perhaps the best appetizer of all you drive through an old growth forest and emerge at a grouping of charming log lodges set above a mountain lake with an unparalleled view of the Lizard Range You salivate over nature s eye candy and then after a hike work up a real hunger Lucky you Farkas s goal is to deliver food that blows people s expectations out of the water The dinners served inside the casual woodsy Tamarack Dining Room inside the main lodge do just that But so do the lunches delivered to the Bear Lodge patio where guests and visitors gather apr s hike to drink a Take a Hike pilsner or tuck in to salmon tacos or the todie for smoked beet Reuben with its surprising combination of Swiss cheese sauerkraut beets and Portobello mushrooms It s no wonder guests return year after year and Fernie locals make a point of regularly dining at Island Lake We want to be recognized as a stand alone food destination says Farkas We want to be known for our food across Western Canada 14
New to the Collection In 2017 we took our love for local one step further when we partnered with our friend and winemaker Mark Simpson of BC Wine Studio The end result of this creative collaboration was two distinct hand crafted wines showcasing the unique terroir of the Okanagan Valley Travelling and skiing extensively before settling into his career as a winemaker Mark s education in vino has taken him to around the world to iconic locales in the USA Italy France and Australia His collaborations with many chefs and winemakers while abroad still inspire his style and philosophy of winemaking today Focused on custom crushes small lot production and working with unique varietals that flourish in B C s pristine wine country Simpson s love of good food and hospitality go hand in hand with his beautiful reds and whites Whether is enjoying wine on the Lodge patio after a long day of hiking or indulging in a glass around the fire after a big day of skiing powder our guests can always look forward to wines that pair with our local Kootenay cuisine and seasonal Lodge activities BC Wine Studio Private Label Red BC Wine Studio Bruin Brut For the red BC Wine Studio has custom crafted a bold Meritage blend from prime South Okanagan fruit This wine loves a big steak crackling fireplace and good friends after an epic day in the mountains Enjoy rich lengthy tannins laced with dark fruit and subtle spice from 22 months in 100 French oak The blend is 66 Cabernet Sauvignon 22 Merlot and 12 Cabernet Franc Vintage 2014 Already known for our Champagne powder we only thought it fitting that we create our own brand of bubbly Whether it s the best snow day most epic hike or romantic of weekend getaways these bubbles will elevate your best moments and memories This effervescent Okanagan sparkling that takes its name from the local brown bear presents grassy notes with appealing aromas of peach and pineapple followed with a nice crisp finish What better way to toast a great day at Island Lake Lodge BC Wine Studio Private Label White For the white BC Wine Studio has crafted a lovely blend from prime South Okanagan fruit This wine features flavours of lemon zest and crisp apple giving way to a lush tropical finish While the Riesling is fermented in stainless steel the Viognier is aged in Acacia barrels The blend is 85 Riesling and 15 Viognier Vintage 2015 15
And The Cocktails Are Pretty Delicious Too With all of the outdoor adventure that comes with a visit to Island Lake Lodge you might just find yourself working up a thirst With its spectacular wrap around mountain scenery the patio at the Lodge and a carefully shaken or masterfully muddled cocktail is the perfect duo The cocktails at Island Lake Lodge take inspiration from the nature that surrounds it They re all made with premium ingredients and are often garnished with wild flowers growing close by Island Lake Lily Pad Spirit bear gin soho lychee liqueur locally made apricot preserve soda HOW TO MAKE Take a Rocks Glass Fill shaker with ice Muddle basil mint Add 1oz Ungava gin Add 1 2 oz St Germain Add 1 oz lime juice Shake strain top with soda Garnish with lily pad need to explain what this is 16
Lazy Lizard Gin Soho Liquor Apricot Citrus Grapefruit HOW TO MAKE Take a classic cocktail glass Fill cocktail shaker with ice Add 1oz Ungava gin Add oz Soho liquor Add 1 Tablespoon apricot preserve Add oz lemon juice Add 1 oz grapefruit juice Shake strain top with soda Garnish with wild flower petal grapefruit wedge The Bear Makers Mark Bourbon Pure Maple Syrup Lemon Juice Apple Cider HOW TO MAKE Take a Rocks Glass Fill shaker with ice Add 1 oz Makers Mark bourbon Add oz Lemon Concentrate Add oz maple syrup Shake strain Top with Apple juice Garnish with cayenne pepper 17
Five Minutes with Executive Chef Keith Farkas A quick Q A with Island Lake Lodge s Executive Chef Keith Farkas CAN YOU TELL US ABOUT THE FOOD PHILOSOPHY OF ISLAND LAKE LODGE Yes I actually get asked this question a lot by our own team our philosophy is unpretentious complex without being complicated What does this mean To me it means seeking good flavours without being too fussy or overdoing it It s about simple pairings and seeking local wherever possible Perhaps most importantly however for dining at Island Lake Lodge it s as much about the incredible natural setting the view and the calm atmosphere WHAT INGREDIENTS ARE SOURCED LOCALLY AND WHY IS THIS IMPORTANT TO YOU The honey we use at the Lodge is locally produced honey from the bees of the Elk Valley and harvested by Elk River Apiaries Our Elk Chorizo is reared and produced locally in the Valley Our coffee beans are the Island Lake Blend from local coffee roasters Zaltana We source locally wherever we can it s important to us Throughout the summer I can be found most Sundays at the Fernie Farmer s Market it s where I talk with the farmers where I ve developed a relationship with them I like to know where our produce is coming from the journey it s had before I serve it at dinner WE HEAR YOU FORAGE FOR INGREDIENTS FROM THE LODGE WHAT ITEMS APPEAR ON THE MENU Yes we do We pick stinging nettles from just outside the Lodge which we then use for soups We forage lots of fireweed too that is flavoured with pesto and served in our Market Salad which happens to be one of our dinner menu s most popular items We create a deliciously sweet cedar syrup with maple too We will often use wild flowers from just outside our backdoor to garnish our desserts and cocktails served in the Lodge It s important as it s our connection to our landscape TELL US ABOUT YOUR COMMITMENT TO LODGEMADE Of course lodge made speaks to the elements of our dishes that are made right here at the lodge from scratch From our house made granola we serve at breakfast to the condiments we create here in the Island Lake Lodge kitchen such as our own ketchup and mayonnaise I believe in it and I know it inspires our cooking team when they can have confidence in that even the little details of our menu are created by hand WHAT ARE SOME OF YOUR FAVOURITE DISHES ON THE ISLAND LAKE LODGE MENU The Bison Short Ribs Due to the popularity of this dish with our guests I ve not been able to take them off the menu for years The Market Salad is a popular one too I like this dish for its simplicity its flavour and its freshness also the foraged fireweed that features as a key part of the salad it s delicious Our guests agree I think it s appealing that the salad is prepared from local ingredients 18
Taste a Little Island Lake Lodge at Home Recipes from Our Kitchen Executive Chef Keith Farkas shares two recipes from the menu at Island Lake Lodge for you to enjoy a taste of our kitchen in your kitchen Recipe 1 Grilled Salmon Tacos Blackened Kuterra salmon citrus slaw coriander Pico de Gallo corn tortillas avocado chipotle creams TO PREPARE THE PICO DE GALLO MIX THE FOLLOWING 6 Roma Tomatoes Seeded diced Red Onion Small diced 1 Jalapeno Minced 3 tbsp Cilantro Chopped 45 60ml Fresh Lime Juice Salt For the Chipotle Cream BLEND 1 Chipotle Pepper canned in Adobo sauce 1 Roasted red pepper peeled and seeded 1 cup mayo For the Citrus Slaw WHISK cup cup cup cup cup cup A little salt lime juice lemon juice orange juice white sugar grape seed oil olive oil ADD THIS TO 2 cups cup cup Season to taste Cabbage thinly sliced Carrots julienne style Green onions thinly sliced TO FINISH YOU LL NEED Good quality corn tortillas Ripe avocado Fresh cilantro Boneless fillet of salmon approx 40g per taco Fresh lime wedge Cajun spice Canola oil Next quickly toast both sides of the tortillas on a dry griddle or skillet then immediately wrap them in tinfoil to slightly steam Coat the salmon in the Cajun spice then lightly coat it in canola and then grill to medium rare For each tortilla place a slice of avocado loosely crumbled salmon a generous amount of the cabbage slaw a spoonful of the pico a drizzle of chipotle cream and fresh cilantro leaf Serve and enjoy 19
Recipe 2 Market Salad 3 Crows Farms heirloom tomatoes and mesclun mix fresh mozzarella fireweed pesto with flowers YOU LL NEED Good quality mesclun mix Heirloom tomatoes mixed varieties cut into large chunks Fresh mozzarella preferably buffalo torn into pieces Strong flavoured extra virgin olive oil Fireweed flowers for garnish Fireweed Pesto we forage ours from the trails just outside of the Lodge Fleur de Sel FOR THE FIREWEED PESTO 30 Cilantro 10 Parsley 10 Basil 50 Fireweed leaves 1 Cucumber peel 1 Jalapeno deseeded rough chop 3 stalks of green onion rough chop 3 4 Lime zest Juice 8 10oz Extra virgin olive oil Salt and Pepper TO PREPARE Start with 8oz of oil and then add the zest and juice of three limes Next add the jalapeno green onion herbs and then the fireweed Blend till smooth Adjust citrus salt and oil to taste Voila Your fresh Market Salad is ready 20
Island Lake Lodge Loves Local If it s one thing we are here at Island Lake Lodge it s proud of our home We love Fernie the natural landscapes the locals and the community we re honoured to be part of Our food philosophy is founded on the belief that local is best with our kitchen and mixologist teams looking to source fresh ingredients that are native to BC and have been farmed or foraged by our neighbours We like to work with our Fernie friends in any way we can because it s fun and it makes sense We support our local community and the businesses that thrive from the town we are part of essentially we love all things local The summer of 2016 saw Island Lake Lodge join forces with local craft brewery Fernie Brewing Company to create a specially branded brew The resulting beer a Bavarian Pilsner was selected to be the perfect apr s hike refresher and was appropriately named Take a Hike The Take a Hike brew is available exclusively at Island Lake Lodge served in 650ml glass bottles featuring a locally designed vintage inspired label by Fernie s artisan letterpress company Clawhammer Press Later it was time for a signature apres ski brew and so another collaboration between Fernie Brewing Company and Island Lake Lodge went into the works the Papa Bear Pilsner Turning from beer to wine the climate controlled wine library a feature of Island Lake Lodge s Tamarack Restaurant features an abundance of wine approximately half of the collection of 3000 bottles selected from our closest wine region the Okanagan Valley of British Columbia The wine selection at Island Lake Lodge has been carefully selected from the new and old worlds to showcase local flavours alongside the old world classics 21
Pamper Al Fresco Experience Spa the Island Lake Lodge Way It s been a day of getting acquainted with the trails around Island Lake Lodge You set out early this morning donned your backpack and off you went with just a taste for adventure a desire to reach a high elevation and a big smile on your face The 7 000 acres of pristine natural terrain that wraps around the Lodge was your oyster and you went to explore You ve spent your day among ancient cedars covered alpine forests blankets of wild flowers gentle streams and 360 degree mountain views You felt on top of the world the sun on your face as you rest at the mountain top with a sense of ultimate freedom as you look down on the Lodge below After making your way back to the comforts of the Lodge you untie your heavy hiking boots and breathe a happy sigh of satisfaction for a good day spent in the great Canadian outdoors Now you need to let your mind completely relax and tend to your post hike worked muscles It s the time to retreat into a pure state of Zen right in the heart of nature and the Day Spa at Island Lake Lodge is the place to do just that You ll find Island Lake Lodge s Day Spa on the lower ground floor of the Tamarack Lodge From here you enter a world of still calm all aboutyou pampered bliss Freshly cut wild flowers are presented in glass vases around the spa and Island Lake Lodge s specially created collection of essential oils fill the Spa with soothing scents of lavender Yep Island Lake Lodge s love for the nature it s part of doesn t stop here Featuring six nature inspired treatment rooms and relaxing areas the Spa is no exception for being inspired by its surroundings and bringing the outdoors indoors 22
Wrapping your post hike body in a soft white robe you enter through the Spa and take a seat in the lounge overlooking the striking Lizard Mountain Range In true Island Lake Lodge style there s no pretentiousness here you feel right at home You admire the view and sip on a calming herbal tea as you get to know your spa practitioner who asks about your day and the hike trails you encountered she also tells you all of the other hikes you just have to try during your stay but that s for tomorrow Right now it s all about the relaxation The Spa here is perfectly tailored to the guests of a rustic lodge surrounded by Mother s Nature s glory with a choice of signature treatments designed to tend to those that have spent their days in the open air The Relaxation Aromatherapy Massage is the absolute treat for tired hiking legs and the all body Dead Sea Mud treatment will leave you wrapped from head to toe in a natural mineral filled mud to balance cleanse and beautify the skin Or choose the Scrub n Glow an organic herb salt sugar and oil scrub that is rubbed into the skin as a full body exfoliate One treatment that every Island Lake Lodge spagoer should indulge in however is the pedicure al fresco This is quickly becoming one of the Spa s most sought after pamper treatments especially with those all hiked out feet that require a little TLC Relaxing into the lounge chair that s sitting waiting for you on the outdoor deck you re right there outside in nature with the scent of fresh alpine in the air and nothing but the sound of birdsong around you You immerse your weary feet into the warm petal filled water and the 60 minute pedicure treatment begins As you rest and look up at the mountain range you were exploring just a few hours before your expert esthetician massages and exfoliates your feet with hot paraffin wax before trimming shaping and finishing your toe nails with a high gloss finish Then after a soothing foot and lower leg massage you re welcomed to stay a while and enjoy every minute of this bliss unless you re keen to hop into the outdoor hot tub that is One thing s for sure you ll sleep well tonight 23
The Diamond in the Rockies Weddings to Remember for a Lifetime The aptly named I Dew Point is a magical spot at Island Lake that has seen many romantic moments of matrimony with couples descending to this spectacular place just feet from the banks of the turquoise green water and it s not hard to see why Completely surrounded by the grand peaks of the Lizard Range this alpine paradise becomes a precious fairy tale like wedding venue for the Big Day one to be treasured and remembered for a lifetime Weddings here at Island Lake Lodge are an intimate affair The Lodge becomes an exclusive venue for its guest brides and grooms with the wedding experience being perfectly tailored to the couple This is not the place where a bride will encounter another bride on her special day or where there are set rules on how a couple design their wedding celebrations The entire Lodge and its 26 guest rooms become the private residence of its wedding guests and the Island Lake Lodge specialists create a day that dreams are made of From the moment guests arrive at the Lodge the wedding experience begins For their first evening the wedding party come together for a special Arrival Dinner of the finestprepared dishes of regionally sourced produce presented by Executive Chef Keith Farkas and his team Guests can settle into their luxury rustic lodge room or enjoy the natural wonders surrounding the Lodge with a summer evening stroll For the Bridal Party there s the chance to escape away for a ladies only pampering session in the Spa ahead of the nuptials On the wedding day itself guests converge at The Meadow just a short five minute walk from the Lodge This iconic picture perfect location plays host to the wedding ceremony with the Bride making her way down the natural aisle towards her significant other Standing in front of the overlooking mountain range with only the quiet noise of the nearby stream trickling close by the wedding vows take place right here in the open air all set within this breath taking natural backdrop 24
The Diamond in the Rockies Weddings to Remember for a Lifetime The aptly named I Dew Point is a magical spot at Island Lake that has seen many romantic moments of matrimony with couples descending to this spectacular place just feet from the banks of the turquoise green water and it s not hard to see why Completely surrounded by the grand peaks of the Lizard Range this alpine paradise becomes a precious fairy tale like wedding venue for the Big Day one to be treasured and remembered for a lifetime Weddings here at Island Lake Lodge are an intimate affair The Lodge becomes an intimate venue for its guest brides and grooms with the wedding experience being perfectly tailored to the couple This is not the place where a bride will encounter another bride on her special day or where there are set rules on how a couple design their wedding celebrations The entire Lodge and its 26 guest rooms become the private residence of its wedding guests and the Island Lake Lodge specialists create a day that dreams are made of From the moment guests arrive at the Lodge the wedding experience begins For their first evening the wedding party come together for a special Arrival Dinner of the finestprepared dishes of regionally sourced produce presented by Executive Chef Keith Farkas and his team Guests can settle into their luxury rustic lodge room or enjoy the natural wonders surrounding the Lodge with a summer evening stroll For the Bridal Party there s the chance to escape away for a ladies only pampering session in the Spa ahead of the nuptials On the wedding day itself guests converge at The Meadow just a short five minute walk from the Lodge This iconic picture perfect location plays host to the wedding ceremony with the Bride making her way down the natural aisle towards her significant other Standing in front of the overlooking mountain range with only the quiet noise of the nearby stream trickling close by the wedding vows take place right here in the open air all set within this breath taking natural backdrop 25
Some brides have chosen to enchantingly emerge from the pine trees to meet her guests and partner to be Island Lake Lodge s wedding coordinators have also seen couples opt for a touching canoe scenario with the Bride and Groom romantically paddling towards each other in the centre of Island Lake for a truly Canadiana moment There have been elaborate Burning Man wedding ceremonies and there s been adrenalin seeking couples that have followed their vows with a group mountain bike or a hiking adventure The options are limitless As far as the wedding album goes too couples and their photographers are literally spoiled for choice with scenic backdrops around Island Lake Lodge s 7000 acres of pristine alpine wonderland Whether posed together among 800 year old cedar trees sat together with your love against the alpine forest with the glow of sunlight glowing through the trees or for an additional wow factor taking a short heliride to a mountain top meadow this is where memorable moments are made and captured forever Whatever the details one thing s for sure this is the place to remember saying I Do for a lifetime
Spectacular Beauty at Every Turn The Iconic Spots of Island Lake Lodge No matter where you turn within the area of Island Lake you re met with spectacular vistas and vibrant colours from nature s palette Depending on the viewpoint the direction you glance into the season and time of day the visual stimulation of this region is second to none With so many iconic viewpoints to experience Island Lake Lodge decided to create the ultimate guide to discovering all of its signature vantage points 3 The Lake Bench This romantic bench on the lake trail offers a unique view of the island and lodge islandlakelodge3 1 The Boat Launch the most photographed location at Island Lake islandlakelodge1your weapon wisely or you could go deep 2 I Dew Point This iconic ceremony spot makes for fantastic wedding photos islandlakelodge2 4 Moose Grass Lookout The grassy bank on the west side of the lake is a perfect moose viewing area and offers another view of the lake and Lizard Range islandlakelodge4 5 Fir Trail Cedar and Fir Grove The Fir trail is an easy extension to the Lake trail and has some magnificent groves of old growth forest including giant Douglas Fir and Cedar trees This spot will also have an interpretive sign describing the Old Growth Forest islandlakelodge5 6 Old Growth Trail More trees This photo spot will feature a giant Old Growth cedar islandlakelodge6 The iconic spots of Island Lake Lodge are twelve standout locations that every visitor to the area needs to delight in Each of the spots is identified by a white sign found at various points along the extensive Island Lake trail system Mark off all these iconic spots and you can safely say you re close to have experienced all the awe inspiring views of the Island Lake region and your life may never be quite the same again 7 Spineback Bench Bonsai Tree The top of the Spineback trail offers a spectacular view including the famous Scot Schmidt Bonsai tree islandlakelodge7 8 Spineback Upper Bench The upper Spineback bench is located amongst alpine wildflowers of all colours islandlakelodge8 11 9 Mt Baldy Summit The top of Mt Baldy offers a 360 degree view of the valley Lizard Range and Mt Fernie islandlakelodge9 10 Tamarack Viewpoint The Tamarack Viewpoint gives hikers a unique panoramic view of the lodge lake and Lizard Range islandlakelodge10 Lazy Lizard Lookout The new Lazy Lizard bike trail includes machine built berms bridges and Old Growth forest The photo spot offers a view of the Bears and Lizard Range islandlakelodge11 12 Big White Summit This mountain top is the highest accessible peak in the area and offers a stunning panoramic view of the Rocky Mountains islandlakelodge12 27
Map of Island Lake Lodge 3 5 HRS 310 Km Calgary AB YYC 1 5 HRS 125 Km Kimberley BC YQE 1 HR 103 Km Cranbrook BC YXC Island Lake Lodge 2 HRS 170 Km Whitefish MT FCA 28
Island Lake Lodge Media Contacts For further information interview requests images or to request a visit please contact Mike McPhee DIRECTOR OF SALES MARKETING ISLAND LAKE LODGE Email mike islandlakelodge W www islandlakecatskiing com IG islandlakelodge FB Facebook com Island Lake Lodge Catskiing TW IslandLakeLodge 29