Fall for British Columbia’s beautiful back garden, with an autumnal adventure in the mountains where you can snuggle up under the stars, soak in hot springs, or cuddle in a cabin for a romantic retreat. The season brings a splash of colour to British Columbia’s mountain scenery with golden larches and snow-sprinkled peaks. Cooler temperatures are still mild enough for visitors to enjoy the outdoors, so head for the hills and enjoy a mountain retreat with one of these six cozy fall getaways.
Soak in the water and soak up the views in the mineral-rich hot springs and mountainous surroundings of the Fairmont Hot Springs Resort in the Rockies. Reserved exclusively for guest access, Canada’s largest natural springs are spectacular in fall as snow starts to blanket the Rockies and the bighorn sheep come out to graze. Stay in a cabin, cottage, loft, or lodge, or choose a suite to relax in a soaker tub and warm up in front of a gas fireplace. At Halcyon Hot Springs, on the Arrow Lake, guests also have exclusive use of the three naturally heated outdoor pools to soak sore muscles in the spring before spending the night in a chalet, cottage, or cabin.
Go small or go home: precious things come in little packages and fall is the ideal time to warm up in a tiny house, one of the hottest home trends in recent years that still pack all the amenities needed into a snug space. Stay in one of Snow Valley Lodging’s six Tiny Homes as a base to explore the fun foodie scene in Fernie, discover the heritage buildings of downtown, and indulge in a seasonal sip at Fernie Brewing Co. Back in your Tiny Home you can warm up at the outdoor firepit or hide away in the loft space to snuggle in bed under the handmade blankets.
Escape everyday life with an adrenaline pumping adventure at Golden’s Vagabond Lodge, where guests can kayak the nearby Columbia River, or take the CBT Mainline mountain bike trail from the lodge. Take a hike along the ridge at Kicking Horse Mountain Resort or explore Gorman Lake to look out for Grizzlies and black bears as they forage in the fall before winter hibernation. Warm up in the sauna or outdoor hot tub at the lodge, then enjoy a drink from the bar (made from a hand-cut split log) and get cozy in front of the hand-made local stone fireplace.
Get away from it all and experience ranch life at Three Bars Guest Ranch, where charming log cabins combine old Western charm such as handmade wooden furniture with recent renovations. Covering 14,160 hectares (35,000 acres) in the valley between the Rocky & Purcell Mountains, Three Bars guest Ranch is home to more than 120 horses and 140 head of cattle and has been operating as a working ranch for over 80 years. Ride a horse amongst the fall foliage as you explore the ranch, or hike and bike the surrounding valleys and wilderness, before returning to the main lodge’s log cabin to sip on local beer and BC wine in the Saloon. Retire to your individual log cabin to sink into the hand-built log bed, or stay up on the private porch to gaze at the stars in the crisp and clear night sky.
Feel at-one with nature at Nipika Mountain Resort, at an off-the-grid eco-resort near Radium Hot Springs, borders Kootenay National Park. Nine luxurious log cabins are surrounded by an extensive trail system to explore and guests can take guided canoeing tours and hikes, although the majestic mountain views and rustic chic of the cabins make them hard to leave. Run on solar energy and heated using deadwood, the resort is the ideal place to go offline and curl up with a hot chocolate and a good book in front of the cabin’s wood-burning stove or brave a BBQ on the deck with sweeping views of the Kootenay River Valley.
Slip away to the secluded luxury hideaway of eco-friendly Logden Lodge, in Ymir (near Nelson). Four mountain cabins are tucked away in the forest, spaced out to give each one solitude in the foothills of the Selkirk Mountains. Although the lodge is only 20km from Nelson, the walk to the cabins gives a beautiful backcountry feel (without the hike!). Rustic timbers, wooden flooring, and cozy lofts give an authentic cabin ambience, with custom-built furniture, antiques, and world art adding a luxury touch. Sleep soundly in luxury down bedding after bathing in the deep soaker tub and wrapping up in a soft robe. Awaken to the gentle crackle of the wood-burning stove to enjoy a coffee on the veranda, taking in the forest views and the fresh air as you keep an eye out for wildlife watching opportunities.
Retreat to the wilderness to experience the Nordic cultural concept of friluftsliv (‘open air life’) in East Kootenay. Radius Retreat is home to a collection of yurts that overlook the Columbia Wetlands and are surrounded by 1000 acres of wilderness and 12kms of trails for self-propelled mountain adventures. Yurts are hike-in only (although a few are close to the parking lot for a mini adventure) and each one is a cozy space to sleep, with outside camping stoves, fire-pits, and compost washrooms to bring glamping to life. Bring your own bedding to snuggle up in the warm solar-powered yurt after a day exploring the great outdoors.
Retreat to Lizard Creek Lodge at Fernie Alpine Resort to soak up the fall scenery and some of the best views in the province from the outdoor pool and hot tubs, which overlook the Rocky Mountains. Spend the day exploring the historic charm of Fernie, get ‘larch fever’ on a walk through the golden trees along the Elk Valley Trail and explore the sights of Mount Fernie Provincial Park, and Fairy Creek Falls. Back at the lodge, retreat to your room to warm up by the river rock gas fireplace, cook a comforting meal in the gourmet kitchen and enjoy eating it on the private balcony, wrapped up in a blanket and breathing in the fresh mountain air.
Always check trail conditions before you head out, and no matter what outdoor activity you are planning, be prepared.
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