Wellness travelers often crowd into Banff and Jasper, but just an hour from Calgary, I found a quieter alternative. Kananaskis is a corner of the Canadian Rockies that pairs rugged mountain scenery with a growing focus on rest and renewal. From hydrotherapy circuits at the Nordic Spa to chef-driven dining at the Pomeroy Kananaskis Mountain Lodge, the region is leaning into the wellness trend that’s shaping 2025 travel.
Once a weekend escape mainly for Albertans, Kananaskis draws travelers who come for the mix of high-alpine adventure and restorative downtime. Visitors trade crowded gondolas for quieter trails, join guided stargazing sessions after dark and recharge with spa rituals that emphasize the landscape itself. The focus isn’t just on mountain scenery but on balancing activities paired with rest in a quieter setting than Banff or Lake Louise.
Pomeroy Kananaskis Mountain Lodge
At the center of this shift is the Pomeroy Kananaskis Mountain Lodge, a luxury property that manages to feel both refined and deeply connected to its surroundings. Guests can start the day with mountain views, fuel up with wood-fired pizza at Forte or sit down to Alberta beef in the Cedar Room.
For those who want more exclusivity, the Black Diamond Club offers a private retreat within the lodge, complete with dedicated dining and lounge areas. It’s here that the balance between rugged alpine adventure and modern comfort becomes most apparent.
Kananaskis Nordic Spa
A short walk from the lodge, the Kananaskis Nordic Spa has become a defining feature of the region. Known as Alberta’s first Nordic-style hydrotherapy circuit, it invites guests to rotate between hot and cold pools, saunas and steam cabins, with outdoor firepits and rows of Muskoka chairs set against the forest.
On my July visit, the steam rising from the hot pools in the early morning light felt almost ethereal, and slipping into a thick robe and spa slippers made it easy to forget the mountain chill. The atmosphere is part social, part restorative; visitors can chat in the warm water after a hike, or retreat to the quiet sauna for uninterrupted calm. With attentive staff and five-star touches, the spa has become a year-round anchor of wellness in Kananaskis.
My experience dovetails with how the region positions itself to travelers today. As Émilie Pageau‑Bisson, senior director of brand strategy, noted, “We’re seeing tremendous growth in wellness-focused visitors, from families and friends to corporate retreat groups, who choose Kananaskis specifically for our unique combination of the Nordic Spa, endless mountain trails and direct connection to nature right at our doorstep.”
She added, “Our Sunday Reset package exemplifies what draws people here: The ability to truly disconnect and recharge in a pristine natural environment. Whether guests are seeking active outdoor experiences or restorative spa treatments, Kananaskis offers an authentic wellness escape that you simply can’t replicate in an urban setting.”
Active wellness outdoors
Wellness in Kananaskis isn’t confined to the spa. Trails wind through alpine meadows and along glacier-fed lakes, offering hikes that range from family-friendly strolls to strenuous summit climbs.
In the summer, visitors can paddleboard on Barrier Lake, bike through forested trails with local outfitters like Kananaskis Outfitters or play a round at the 18-hole Kananaskis Country Golf Course, where peaks frame the fairways. At Boundary Ranch, horseback rides add a cowboy vibe to the mountain setting.
Winter brings downhill skiing at Nakiska, along with snowshoeing and fat-tire biking on groomed trails arranged through the same guides. This is truly a winter playground, with plenty of outdoor activities for all ages.
Dining and cocktails
Back at the lodge, wellness extends to the table. Forte offers both buffet and à la carte options, along with hand-crafted wood-fired pizzas that have become a guest favorite. The Cedar Room delivers an exceptional chophouse experience, showcasing Alberta beef and seasonal produce in a polished mountain setting. At the Blacktail Bar, mixologist Graham Hart curates the G7 Global Cocktail Series, created in honor of the G7 Summit once hosted at the lodge and inspired by the attending countries.
Guests of the Black Diamond Club enjoy access to multiple food options in a private setting, from breakfast spreads to evening small plates, served alongside attentive lounge service. Whether it’s a hearty start to the day or a nightcap after the spa, the culinary side of Kananaskis has become just as much a draw as the scenery.
Why now
Kananaskis is stepping into the spotlight at a moment when travelers are rethinking how and where they spend their vacation time. Banff and Lake Louise continue to draw global crowds, but with that popularity comes congestion and high prices.
Just an hour from Calgary, Kananaskis offers a quieter alternative where wellness is woven into the experience rather than added on. The provincial government’s Kananaskis Conservation Pass has helped support infrastructure while limiting strain on the landscape, and new attention from Alberta tourism boards is positioning the region as a hub for restorative travel in 2025.
The quiet alternative
Wellness may be the new draw, but what sets Kananaskis apart is its pace. I could hike alpine trails in the morning, linger over a spa circuit in the afternoon and end the day with a cocktail that carried an international backstory, all without jostling through crowds. As destinations across the Rockies grapple with overtourism, Kananaskis is quietly shaping its own identity as a place where calm, comfort and mountain adventure meet. For today’s travelers, that balance is proving hard to resist.
Jennifer Allen is a retired chef turned traveler, cookbook author and nationally syndicated journalist; she’s also a co-founder of Food Drink Life, where she shares expert travel tips, cruise insights and luxury destination guides. A recognized cruise expert with a deep passion for high-end experiences and off-the-beaten-path destinations, Jennifer explores the world with curiosity, depth and a storyteller’s perspective. Her articles are regularly featured on the Associated Press Wire, The Washington Post, Seattle Times, MSN and more.
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