Winter 2021 - Feb. 10th Update - Our Lodge Is Closed
After flying into the lodge the day after we made the call to open, 9 staff have been working non-stop to get the lodge up and running and ready for guests. This unfortunately has not gone well for us. While trying to get our hydroelectric power system going we had a catastrophic failure that affects our power and water supply, both of which are crucial to operating the lodge during a pandemic. We have also not been able to get reliable power from our regular generator.
We have tried so hard to make Winter 2021 happen and it is so difficult to come to the realization that we cannot make things work for this winter. We have been struggling with our hydroelectric for many winters now and have come to the conclusion that we need to revamp our winter program. We will not be taking bookings for Winter 2022 until we figure out what that will look like.
We are so sorry that we cannot host guests for a winter 2021 ski trip. After overcoming so many setbacks, we are feeling so defeated that we are now not able to operate.
Sincerely,
Claude, Andre and the rest of the Assiniboine Team
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Mount Assiniboine - The Story
Now Available for Purchase Online
In his book, Mount Assiniboine — The Story, historian Chic Scott tells the story of 130 years of adventure, romance, hard work and dreams at Mount Assiniboine. All the characters are here: Walter Wilcox, the pioneer explorer of Mount Assiniboine; Sir James Outram, who, with his Swiss guides, first climbed the mountain; A.O Wheeler, who surveyed the area and was responsible for the creation of Mount Assiniboine Provincial Park; the exotic nobleman, Marquis Nicolo d’Albizzi, who discovered the area in the 1920s and brought the first skiers to the mountain; Norwegian ski pioneer, Erling Strom, who ruled like a king over the area for fifty years; Lizzie Rummel, who was awarded the Order of Canada for her gracious ways at Assiniboine; Hans Gmoser, who got his start as a mountain guide at Mount Assiniboine; legendary ski guide Sam Evans; Ken Jones, the first Park Ranger; cowboys, Al Johnston, Charlie Hunter, Chuck Millar and Jim Bagley; Sepp and Barb Renner, who turned the lodge into the modern gem that it is today and Andre Renner, Claude Duchesne and Annick Blouin, who manage the lodge now and continue the tradition.
All the stories are included in this book — exploring and climbing the mountain, surveying the Great Divide, creating the Park, building Mount Assiniboine Lodge, the glory years of skiing at Assiniboine in the thirties, the pioneer pilots (Al Gaetz and Jim Davies), the plane crashes, the renovation of the lodge in 2011, right up to the challenges and romance of today. The extensive text (110,000 words) is accompanied by almost 400 images, mainly historic, and many which have never been seen before.
This is an epic and fascinating story worthy of the big screen, set below the most beautiful mountain in the world. Mount Assiniboine — The Story is a coffee table book with an elegant cloth-covered hard cover with inlayed image, 9” x 12”, 336 pages, with 382 images (colour throughout). A collectors item, this book would make a great souvenir of your trip to Assiniboine or a present to a friend or loved one.
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Welcome to Assiniboine Lodge!
Built in 1928, Assiniboine Lodge was North America’s first backcountry ski lodge. Today it retains its rustic charm and welcoming spirit. We ski the same meadows and on the same ski runs. We hike on the same trails as our guests did 91 years ago. Nestled at the base of iconic Mt. Assiniboine, the Lodge is surrounded by soaring peaks, alpine meadows filled with wildflowers, larch trees and turquoise lakes. Located 26 kilometers from the nearest road, it is a place of incredible peace…a place for you to disconnect from the busy world and reconnect with nature, family and friends.
We spend our days outside hiking or skiing. In the winter the vast and varied terrain lends itself to alpine touring and light touring. There is something for everyone. Certified professional guides lead daily hiking and ski tours. In the winter all required safety equipment is provided by the lodge. We ensure you feel safe and secure while exploring your breathtaking surroundings.
Back at the Lodge, we share stories over tea goody. Hearty, homemade meals and fireside chats await with guests from all over the world. Later in the evening, we tuck in under cozy goose-down duvets as the stars fill the night-time sky.
We are passionate about sharing our mountain paradise with you. We invite you to join us for the unspoiled Assiniboine Lodge experience. It is truly…Like No Other!
Annick, Claude and Andre






