Pets Can Stay Pet-Friendly Travel Services

Pets Can Stay Lodge Corner - Oct/Nov 2005

Rocky Mountain Ski Lodge

It’s no wonder that Canmore, Alberta, is often referred to as “the best kept secret in the Canadian Rockies”. With its stunning mountain views, wide array of summer and winter activities, and convenient location (5 minutes East of Banff National Park), it certainly has a lot to offer. While accommodation in nearby Banff and Lake Louise can often become an expensive proposition, a number of lodging options in Canmore deliver equivalent value at a markedly lower price. At the Rocky Mountain Ski Lodge, value is the name of the game - travelers and their pets can find cozy, comfortable accommodation in the heart of Canmore for only $65 to $130CAD per night plus a $5 per night pet fee. Not surprisingly, the lodge is becoming an increasingly popular choice for the discriminating, pet-toting traveler.

Of the property’s 84 units, 26 are pet-designated, ranging from standard rooms with 1 queen bed to kitchen units with 2 double beds. Each pet friendly room receives additional cleaning procedures after every stay to ensure the next guest’s comfort. “We really pride ourselves on being a very clean and customer service-oriented establishment” comments Donna Trautman, the lodge’s Marketing Manager. “Not only have we won the AHLA Housekeeping Award 12 years in a row, but we really try and go out of our way to accommodate guest requests, whether they pertain to onsite services or local interests. This has been key to the great response we get from our customers, and a large base of return clients.” The lodge provides guests with pet food/water bowls and waste bags upon request, as well as amenities including outdoor BBQs, onsite laundry, free parking, sauna, and a hot tub that overlooks the Three Sisters and Lawrence Grassi Range.

Walking areas and green space, both common requests from pet-toting travelers, are in abundance at the Rocky Mountain Ski Lodge. Aside from the property’s own park-like setting, and off-leash areas that are a short drive away, guests can literally step off the lodge grounds and onto a 30+km series of groomed walking trails that connect the entire town of Canmore (maps to the walking trail system are available at the front desk). “Canmore is very pet friendly!” exclaims Trautman. “There are lots of pet services in town that we recommend and many of the businesses in town have a pet in their offices, including our lodge.” According to Trautman, Canmore even has a contingent of pet-loving volunteers that are planning to travel south to do animal rescue in the wake of the recent hurricane devastation, with the plan to bring the animals back to Canmore for adoption.

Guests at the Rocky Mountain Ski Lodge can look forward to a number of upcoming events, including the Alberta Centennial World Cup 2005 cross-country skiing event (December 15-18, 2005), the Ice Climbing Festival (held in the New Year), and the Canmore Winter Festival (February 16-26, 2006). The lodge is also a major sponsor of the Alberta International Sled Dog Classic (February 18-19, 2006), voted Event of the Year by the North American arm of the International Sled Dog Racing Association, and the preferred accommodation for many of the event’s mushers.

For more information about Rocky Mountain Ski Lodge, click here. To make your reservation now, call Pets Can Stay Travel Services 1-800-574-3161, or to complete the online accommodation request form click here.