In this video, I take you on a peaceful winter escape to a remote backcountry lodge deep in the heart of Banff National Park. We journey to the Sundance Lodge, located about 12 kilometers away from the road in the stunning Sunshine Valley which follows Brewster Creek. Using e-bikes to navigate the snowy mountain terrain, we spend 24 hours exploring this historic cabin, biking through the mountains, and trekking through the quiet winter forest.
The Banff National Park backcountry offers something truly special during the winter months. The Sundance Lodge provides a unique opportunity to experience the wilderness in comfort, accessible only by foot, snowshoes, skis, or mountain biking. This combination of adventure and comfort creates an unforgettable experience in one of Canada’s most iconic mountain settings.
In my video below, I walk through the experience exactly as shown and explained:
Accessing the Sundance Lodge by E-Bike
For our journey to the Sundance Lodge, we decided to use e-bikes to cover the 12-kilometer route from the trailhead into the Sunshine Valley. In winter, this remote location can be accessed through several means, including on foot, with snowshoes, on skis, or by mountain bike. The e-bikes provided the perfect balance of effort and enjoyment, allowing us to cover the distance efficiently while still immersing ourselves in the stunning winter landscape.
I want to give a huge thank you to E Outdoors for letting us use their amazing e-bikes over the weekend. The bikes performed exceptionally well on the snowy trails, making the journey into the backcountry much more accessible while still maintaining the sense of adventure that comes with traveling through remote mountain terrain.
The Sundance Lodge Experience
When you arrive at the Sundance Lodge after your journey through the forest, you’re greeted by a substantial two-story log cabin that can accommodate over 20 guests. The second floor features tons of rooms with plenty of space for everyone, ensuring that even when the lodge is full, guests have comfortable sleeping quarters away from the main activity areas.
On the main floor, you’ll find a huge living space that serves as the heart of the lodge. This communal area features a full kitchen and multiple bathrooms equipped with showers, which is a luxurious amenity when you’re 12 kilometers into the backcountry. The spacious design allows guests to gather comfortably, share stories of their journey, and relax in the warmth after their trek through the winter landscape.
One of the standout features of the Sundance Lodge is the wonderful staff who take care of all the guests during their stay. Throughout your visit, the staff provides snacks, full meals, and any drinks you might require. This level of service transforms what could be a rustic backcountry experience into something more refined, allowing you to focus on enjoying the wilderness without worrying about meal preparation or logistics.
The Rich History of Sundance Lodge and the Trail
The area where the Sundance Lodge now stands has a fascinating history that dates back over a century. In 1923, a club of 14 backcountry enthusiasts formed a group called the Trail Riders of the Canadian Rockies. This pioneering organization helped people explore the Banff wilderness at a time when the backcountry was far less accessible than it is today. They followed part of a route similar to the one Banff Trail Riders uses today, starting from just outside of Banff, traveling up Allenby Pass and then towards Mount Assiniboine.
That same year in 1923, the Canadian Pacific Railway built two significant structures in the valley. The first was the 3-Mile Cabin, which is now used as a shelter for guests on Cowboy Cookouts. The second was the 10-Mile Cabin, and this is the location where the Sundance Lodge now sits. These early cabins were essential infrastructure for opening up the Banff backcountry to exploration and adventure.
A few years later in 1928, the Halfway Lodge was built at the base of Allenby Pass. This log cabin served as a crucial stopover for the legendary mountain guide Erling Strom when he took travellers through the wilderness to Mount Assiniboine. The tradition of providing shelter for backcountry adventurers continues even today, as the Halfway Lodge still offers refuge for those exploring this remote area.
Evolution of Outfitting Operations
The commercial outfitting operations in the area also have an interesting history. In the 1960s, there were three separate outfitters based at Warner Stables. By the mid-1970s, these businesses had consolidated into a single large outfitter known as Warner and Mackenzie Outfitting, which also operated under the name Holiday on Horseback.
In the 1980s, this consolidated company became the leaseholder for all three of the iconic stopping points along the trail: the 3-Mile Cabin, the 10-Mile Cabin, and the Halfway Lodge. These historic structures continued to serve as essential infrastructure for backcountry adventures throughout the decades.
Then in 2014, Holiday on Horseback underwent a transformation and became Banff Trail Riders. This new name represented a renewed focus on helping travellers explore Banff’s incredible wilderness on horseback. The change marked both a continuation of the long tradition of guided backcountry experiences and a commitment to maintaining these historic facilities for future generations of adventurers.
Planning Your Own Sundance Lodge Adventure
If you’re considering your own winter escape to the Sundance Lodge, there are several access options depending on your skill level and preferred mode of travel. The 12-kilometer journey from the trailhead follows Brewster Creek through the Sunshine Valley, offering spectacular mountain views throughout the route.
For those who enjoy winter hiking, snowshoeing provides an excellent way to experience the trail at a slower pace, allowing you to fully appreciate the quiet beauty of the snow-covered forest. Cross-country skiers will find the route well-suited to their preferred method of travel, while mountain bikers with appropriate winter equipment can cover the distance more quickly while still enjoying the scenery.
Our choice to use e-bikes proved to be an excellent decision. The electric assist helped us manage the distance and any elevation changes without arriving at the lodge exhausted, leaving us with plenty of energy to explore the area and enjoy the facilities once we arrived.
What Makes This Experience Special
Spending 24 hours at the Sundance Lodge offers a unique blend of wilderness adventure and comfortable accommodation that’s hard to find elsewhere. The journey to reach the lodge requires effort and commitment, which means you truly feel like you’ve earned your stay in this remote location. Yet once you arrive, the amenities and hospitality ensure that your time is spent enjoying the experience rather than dealing with the challenges of backcountry camping.
The combination of historic significance, natural beauty, and thoughtful modern amenities makes the Sundance Lodge a special destination within Banff National Park. Whether you’re looking for a peaceful retreat from daily life, an opportunity to experience the winter backcountry without extreme hardship, or simply a unique adventure in the Canadian Rockies, this lodge delivers on all fronts.
Acknowledgments and Thanks
This video and experience wouldn’t have been possible without the support of several organizations. A huge thank you to our wonderful hosts at the Sundance Lodge for their hospitality during our stay. Their attention to detail and commitment to guest comfort made the entire experience memorable.
I also want to thank Banff Trail Riders for sponsoring this video. Their stewardship of these historic backcountry facilities ensures that future generations will be able to enjoy the same wilderness experiences that have been available for over a century.
Exploring More of the Canadian Rockies
I’ve been exploring the Canadian Rockies since 2020 through my YouTube channel, documenting adventures across multiple national parks and protected areas. If you’re planning your own trip to the region, my content covers a wide range of destinations and activities.
For those interested in Jasper National Park, I’ve created videos covering popular destinations like Maligne Lake, Spirit Island, and Athabasca Falls. I’ve also documented numerous day hikes in Jasper including the Valley of the Five Lakes, sections of the Icefields Parkway, and the challenging Skyline trail. My content also provides information on where to stay in Jasper National Park, covering options from campgrounds to cabins and hotels.
In Banff National Park, I’ve explored iconic locations such as Johnston Canyon, Lake Louise, and Moraine Lake. My hiking videos cover trails ranging from the accessible Tunnel Mountain to more challenging routes like Sentinel Pass and Bow Glacier Falls. I also provide guidance on accommodation options throughout Banff National Park to help you plan your stay.
Beyond Banff and Jasper, I’ve documented experiences in Yoho National Park, including Natural Bridge, Takakkaw Falls, and Emerald Lake. For hikers, I’ve covered the renowned Lake O’Hara Alpine Circuit, the spectacular Iceline trail, and the beautiful Hamilton Lake trail. My videos also include information on where to stay in Yoho National Park.
My channel offers endless ideas for road trips, travel guides, campground reviews, and detailed itinerary information that can be invaluable to your trip planning whether you’re exploring Alberta or British Columbia. Each video aims to show you exactly what to expect so you can make informed decisions about your own adventures in the Canadian Rockies.