Hut-to-Hut Experience

An unforgettable, bucket-list adventure

A next-level adventure

Experience spectacular beauty in the pristine backcountry of Banff National Park while hiking one of the Rockies’ classic long-distance hikes. Shadow Lake Lodge and Sunshine Mountain Lodge are pleased to support your self-guided backcountry hiking adventure with a luxury hut-to-hut experience on either end.

If you are an experienced hiker capable of a long (25-30 km) day, this is just the adventure you’ve been looking for!

Itinerary includes:

  • 2-night stay at Sunshine Mountain Lodge and 2-night stay at Shadow Lake Lodge

  • Valid for stays June 28-Sept 21, 2024

  • Bookings made separately with respective lodges

How to book

Bookings made separately with respective lodges

  1. Book online, or email Shadow Lake Lodge (info@shadowlakelodge.com) to reserve preferred stay dates, subject to availability.

  2. Book your Sunshine Mountain Lodge dates online using code “SHADOW “

    ** If you’re hoping to book-end the trip with 2 single nights on either end of Shadow Lake Lodge trip, you will need to call Sunshine Mountain Lodge directly (1-403-705-4000) — as the code will not work.

  3. If you’re traveling from afar, be sure to book transportation early on to ensure a seamless arrival and departure. Shuttling & rental car services book up fast in the Bow Valley! Cabs to and from trailheads can be anywhere from $75-$200 depending on the season.

  4. When making your respective lodge reservations, you will be required to provide credit card information for initial non-refundable deposits. You can read more about cancellation and booking policies for SLL here and SML here. We highly recommend trip/medical insurance.

  5. Please note, this experience is for advanced hikers only and guests will get a call from our team at Shadow Lake Lodge to confirm their ability and go over trek details.

  6. Check your booking confirmations! Ensure all information is correct for your stay, and print out a copy of your itinerary and map (attached to pre-arrival email). 

    Questions can be forwarded to info@shadowlakelodge.com

Rates

Starting at:

  • $395/night - Sunshine Mountain Lodge

  • $830/night - Shadow Lake Lodge

Prices are based on double occupancy, and will vary based on room/cabin type. Initial deposits are non-refundable.

Be sure to read all booking and cancellation policies before booking. Policies for SLL are here and SML are here.

Itinerary

Day 1

Sunshine Mountain Lodge

Your Adventure begins! Arrive any time between 8:00am - 5:30pm to ensure you can catch the gondola ride up to your home base for the next few nights at Sunshine Mountain Lodge. 

After settling into your room, take advantage of hiking in Sunshine Meadows. Wildflowers and wildlife await you as you take the Standish Chairlift up to the top of Mt. Standish. Enjoy the views and an afternoon hike through the meadows.

In the evening, dine in luxury at one of the two restaurants in the Sunshine Mountain Lodge. Afterwards, dive into your stay with all the comforts you would expect including a giant outdoor hot tub.

Day 2

Sunshine Meadows

Explore Sunshine Meadows  - Surrounded by the iconic peaks of the Canadian Rocky Mountains, experience stunning 360-degree views and explore all Sunshine Meadows has to offer. Grab some lunch at Java Lift and then catch even more breathtaking scenery from the Standish Viewing Deck and take in the vistas of three high-alpine lakes; Laryx, Grizzly, and Rock Isle. 

Take in dramatic panoramas of Lookout Mountain on the deck before retiring for the evening, eagerly anticipating your hike to Shadow Lake the next morning.

Day 3

Sunshine Mountain Lodge to Shadow Lake Lodge

Its going to be a long day, and your day starts early: we recommend that guests be on the trail by 8:00am. Enjoy a hearty breakfast in the Sunshine Mountain Lodge before checking out with your bagged lunch and beginning the exciting journey to Shadow Lake Lodge.

Start your hike by heading to the trail beside the Wawa chair; then take the Sunshine Meadows trail to Simpson Pass (distance 5.6km, elevation -65m). From Simpson Pass*, head to Healy Pass. This is open, grassy terrain, thickly strewn with mountain wildflowers and groves of larch trees (distance 3.5km, elevation +195m). Healy Pass affords superb views of Mount Assiniboine, The Monarch and all of the lakes in the Egypt area. To the north, Mount Ball stands out in all its glory. From Healy Pass you will hike down to Egypt Lake. (2.9km distance, -335m elevation)

*Note: Simpson Pass was named after Sir George Simpson, one of the area’s first surveyors.

Once you reach Egypt Lake, you will have two route options to continue the journey to Shadow Lake Lodge. When making your decision on which route to take, please consider how long it has taken you to reach this point in the hike.

Option #1

Egypt Lake to Pharoah Creek Valley Trail

This shorter, but less scenic trail descends to a Warden’s cabin at the meeting of Shadow Creek and Pharoah Creek (distance 8.5km). From there it is only a 2.4km hike to Shadow Lake Lodge which should take approximately 30 minutes.

*Total distance including Option #1 is 22.9km.

Option #2

Egypt Lake to Whistling Pass

Option #2 is longer and more challenging than Option #1, but if time, energy and good weather are on your side, your efforts will be rewarded with spectacular views. From Egypt Lake, you will hike the steep trail to Scarab Lake, then on to Whistling Pass. Enjoy jaw-dropping views of Haiduk, Scarab and Mummy Lakes, as well as Mount Ball in the background (3.7km distance, +305m elevation).

From Whistling Pass, you will descend to Haiduk Lake, then hike down to Ball Pass junction (6.3km distance, -379m elevation).

From Ball Pass junction, hike down through meadows of wildflowers down to Shadow Lake. Cross over the long bridge at the outlet of the lake and hike the final distance to Shadow Lake Lodge.

*Total distance for Option #2 is 27.3km.

Check into your private cabin at Shadow Lake Lodge. Enjoy afternoon tea in the dining cabin including a delicious spread of charcuterie and home baked goods before relishing in a well-deserved hot shower in our washhouse. A three-course, delicious mountain dinner is served at 6:30pm.

Day 4

Shadow Lake Lodge

A hearty breakfast is served at 8:00am, after which you will be handed your pre-packed lunch for the day. There are several full and half day hikes from the lodge to fill your day, or relax, unplugged at the lodge. Afternoon tea is available mid-afternoon, followed by another delectable three course dinner at 6:30pm.

Day 5

Departure Day

After you have your breakfast and grab your pre-packed lunch, our staff will assist you with checking out (10:00am). There are two options to hike out from the lodge below. Please ensure you speak with one of our agents if you are in need of shuttling to your vehicle at Sunshine; we can help organize transportation at an additional cost.

Option #1

Redearth Creek Trail

This moderately graded trail is 13km to the Redearth parking lot located off of the Trans-Canada Highway (-455m elevation).

Option #2

Gibbon Pass to Twin Lakes/Arnica Lake/Vista Lake

This option is more challenging than Redearth Creek trail but is completely worth the effort as you will take in amazing views from Gibbon Pass. All in all, you will hike past four gorgeous mountain lakes, ending your trek at the Vista Lake trailhead parking lot on Highway 93 South (distance 14km, elevation +455m and -560m).

Option #3

Shadow Lake Lodge to Sunshine Mountain Lodge

Want to book-end your adventure? Left your vehicle at Sunshine? Return to Sunshine Mountain Lodge the same way you came and experience the views of Scarab, Egypt, & Mummy Lakes in a different perspective.

**There is flexibility in your trip details! Sunshine Mountain Lodge can be tagged on either end of your trek; Your two-night stay can be consecutive or split apart; We’d be happy to work the details out with you!