British Columbia’s Famed Island Lake Lodge Gets Ready to Open its Doors for the Summer

June 24, 2010 - PRLog -- Fernie, British Columbia, Canada – When most people hear the name Island Lake, summer fun is the last thing that comes to mind. In fact, amongst most avid skiers and snowboarders, the name is synonymous with “winter wonderland”. For over 20 years now, amateur skiers and pros alike have flocked to Island Lake from all over North America, Europe and even from far off corners of the world such as Asia and other distant locations, in order to take advantage of some of the best skiing on the planet.

There are a few things that make Island Lake Lodge different from other Canadian ski resorts. First and foremost, is the fact that focus here is on cat skiing. If you’ve never heard the term before, cat skiing is essentially the same as any other type of skiing, the difference being that skiers (and/or snowboarders) are transported to various mountain ski runs atop snow cats – large, rugged mountain vehicles originally designed and used to clear snow trails during winter months. These vehicles replace lifts as the primary method of transportation to and from the various runs that lie on the Island Lake property.

Two other things that make Island Lake http://www.islandlakecatskiing.com unique are its outstanding accommodations and superb, world famous cuisine, some of the finest the Rocky Mountains have to offer. The resort, which actually consists of three lodges, houses up to 48 guests in 26 separate rooms, which provide a level of comfort and privacy that many larger ski resorts simply can’t and don’t offer. In general, people come here for one of two reasons: to take advantage of some of the finest ski conditions on the planet, or to pamper themselves, marvel at the breathtaking natural surroundings and enjoy a relaxing vacation in one of Canada’s most spectacular natural settings.

What a lot of folks don’t realize and what truly sets Island Lake apart from other British Colombian ski resorts, is the fact that the lodge is also open during the summer, offering guests a host of amenities and activities, many of which aren’t feasible during the winter months. Island Lake Lodge is one of the few facilities in B.C. that actually owns the land it sits on – over 7000 acres of pristine valleys and ridges, located in the heart of Canada’s Rocky Mountains. This terrain, which serves as a paradise for skiers during the winter, takes on a whole new light when the snow melts away, exposing a pristine and unspoiled wilderness, filled with the spectacular sights, sounds and smells of nature.

Some might even argue that summer is the best time of year to visit Island Lake. It is no doubt the only season during which it is possible to explore the surrounding countryside on foot. Hiking is without a doubt one of the favorite summer pastimes in and around the area and Island Lake offers its guests the opportunity to engage in a variety of guided nature walks, from short 30 minute strolls to intense all day adventure treks and educational tours of the surrounding forests and nearby lake.      

Island Lake is also a wonderful place to host large scale events such as weddings, family gatherings or other festivities, although space is limited, so it is important to book as far in advance as possible when planning such activities. Summer guests at the lodge can also enjoy fly fishing excursions, mountain biking, hiking and horseback riding.

The resort opens for the summer on June 18th. If recent years serve as an accurate indicator, it will no doubt be booked solid before the month is out.

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ABOUT:

Island Lake Lodge is a back country resort located on 7,000 acres of mountainous terrain near Fernie B.C. Canada, just beyond the Mount Fernie Provincial Park. Island Lake Resorts consist of Island Lake Catskiing in addition to Powder Cowboy Catskiing and Mica Heliskiing.