Lake O'Hara Lodge

We hiked the fire road in at 7am, 12KM took 1h50min. Hiked the Alpine Loop, 14KM for around 4 hours. It did seem like we could’ve got room on a bus to drive out at 2:30 but we didn’t wait so walked the road out again. 34KM with total time of around 8 hours. Views are spectacular, it’s a real gem up there. Trails are a little busier given so many people are staying up there but still lots of quiet moments. We worked clockwise and got the climbing done early. Quite straightforward for a seasoned hiker. Carrot Cake at the end was perfect!!

I think Parks Canada needs to reconsider what they consider "protected" within their parks. You hear all this talk about how Lake O'Hara is the most protected place in Yoho. You get scolded by every park employee about etiquette at the lake before you even get there. Then, you get to the lake and see 15 buildings right on the lake. The minimum hurdle to get over to consider a place protected is not building right next to it.

This was our first stay in the Lake O'Hara Lodge. Due to Covid restrictions, I was told there had been some changes to the common areas. The sleeping room was clean and very comfortable. The communal bathroom was not a problem at all. The staff offered the best service I have ever experienced! Friendly, helpful, accommodating and very professional. The fine dining at dinner was better than a luxury cruise liner. The food choices for your packed lunches were many and breakfast each morning had a choice of 2 hot entrees and other side dishes. 3pm was tea time offering a huge choice of freshly baked treats, tea and juice. Hiking the trails around Lake O'Hara and beyond offered the most spectacular views imaginable. We enjoyed a relaxing canoe paddle around the lake. If you are a hiker, artist or just want to soak up the mountain views, get your name on the list,it is worth every penny!

Was denied water by humans drinking water inside who thought it more important to make some sort of point rather than just helping someone who needed help. After running up the hill to the lodge, seeing lots of people in and around the lodge, thought it was safe to run the higher alpine trails along the lake and then grab water before running back down. There is no sign indicating the lodge is closed that is visible from the trail on the way up/down. By the time I tried to hit the water tap outside, they had just turned it off and were inside eating lunch that is visible from the outside tap. They all just looked at me and ignored me completely until one of them came out to scold me for not bringing more water rather than just helping. I ended up borrowing a kind hikers water filter and getting my own water from the lake which was fantastic. You people in the cabin are the worst people I've encountered anywhere on this planet.

Staying at Lake O'Hara Lodge is a magical experience. Everything is idyllic. The views are breathtaking, the trails are pristine, the staff are warm and friendly, and the accommodations are comfortable. The meals are delicious and inventive, with many vegetarian and vegan options. There are several outstanding hikes, from the basic (but lovely) loop around the lake to more challenging hikes into the surrounding mountains. The Lodge is fantastic, and Lake O'Hara is my favorite place in the Rockies.

While the ski up to the lodge is stunning, the view pales in comparison to standing at the lake, looking at the amphitheater of mountains that surround you. The beautifully rustic but well maintained and warm lodge, made for a wonderful lunch stop. Claire, one of the staff, was very friendly and went above and beyond to accommodate us for lunch! The warm tea and delicious hot food really hit the spot after the ski in. Would highly recommend making the trip out for the breathtaking views and 5 star cuisine! Don't forget to bring cash for lunch (30$/person and includes dessert and coffee)

Yes, this is definitely heaven on earth…yes, a bucket list item, yes worth putting your name on the waitlist and saving your loonies. Perfection…to stay in a lakeside cabin is truly life changing. Lonnie and Johnny are wonderful hosts and have hired amazing staff to make everything run so very smoothly. Priceless. We had sun to hike and we were fortunate to have a snow-day to just sit inside and ogle the storm! Accommodating about eating preferences. The staff and chefs could not have been sweeter! Speaking of sweets….on my…the chocolate desserts at tea time or in your lunch bag were truly delicious. The staff Saturday show was outdoors cause of covid cares and was great fun…bundled in wool Pendleton blankets from your room. A wondrous spot…it makes me a better person to have been there. My soul is richer and I so hope to return next fall.

To the managers of Lake O’Hara Lodge We have been guests at Lake O’Hara Lodge for the past 4 years. Every year has been a great experience… the staff, the accommodation, the evening meals, and the trail lunches have all been wonderful. But this year (2022) was the best year yet. The service, the staff, the evening meals and the trail lunches were extraordinary! The experience was over the top. Thank you. ! Well done! We hope to see you next year. Ed and Anne Neufeld

Location, location, location! The Lodge at Lake O'Hara is at a spot that many artists consider the jewel of the Rockies. With humble, but clean accommodations in vintage log cabins, panabodes or the lodge guest rooms, this is a place to enjoy pristine sub-alpine and alpine beauty. Totally off grid (no internet, room phone, or cell coverage), no fancy trimmings like spas or night life, this is where to come for unpretentious mountain hiking and scenery. But beyond location, location, location, hosts Bruce and Allison, as well as David, Amanda and the rest of the staff provide exceptional hospitality and dining (breakfast, afternoon tea and dinner in the lodge) and lunch bags for refuelling on the trails. This is a special place. You need to apply in the fall for a spot on the invitation list for the following summer. If you get an opportunity to go, take it. I'd recommend going in on the morning transport, leaving on the afternoon transport. You park near Hwy 1 between Field, BC and Lake Louise, AB, and take the Lodge shuttle up 11 km to Lake O'Hara. That may mean staying some place else not to far away to 'stage' your visit. The Lodge at Lake O'Hara is very exclusive, not just because the high cost per day, but the number of people who can access this part of Yoho National Park is very limited. Be prepared for variable weather, take good hiking footwear, and lots of capacity on your photo memory card! Also hydrate well, due to the elevation and the elevation changes on some of the trails.

You must be a very experienced skier/snowshoer just to reach the Lake O'Hara Lodge and enjoy it in the winter! The trip up to the lodge, on a narrow, one lane road, is 11 km (7.2 miles) long, ascending 578 m (1900 ft) up a steady 13 per cent grade to an altitude of 2025 m (6650 ft). At a minimum, skiers need wide, metal-edged backcountry skis (described as "light touring" locally) with skins. The trip from parking lot to lodge took us, experienced xc skiers, over 4 hours. Once at the lodge, the food is terrific and the staff extremely friendly and accommodating. The terrain from the lodge is too difficult for touring skis, due to the steep trail pitches, and is suitable only for alpine backcountry skis or snowshoes. The rerun trip to the parking lot may be the most challenging aspect of the trip, particularly on touring skis. The trail, c. 2 m (6 ft) between ski tracks is extremely narrow for the steep, continuous 11 km descent and is one approachable by strong, very experienced skiers, particularly with backpacks attached. If you need outsiders to get in touch with you while you are away or vice versa, Lake O'Hara Lodge is NOT for you. There is very limited phone service and no wifi (the front desk has a computer but not for public use). Cell phone coverage is nil. If no one answers the desk lodge phone, it is not possible to leave a phone message to staff or guests because the Lodge does not have a voice message machine or service, nor email address. The telephone hours at the desk are very limited, 9-3 Monday thru Thursday, not including holidays. If one needs to get in touch with any staff member or guest between Thursday at 3 PM until the following Monday morning, it is not possible. There is only a general emergency number for Canadian Parks. Be sure to bear all this in mind before booking a trip. The views are unsurpassed and the lodge experience is very tranquil and friendly. Just be very careful getting to and from there in the winter!