One of Banff's most beloved backcountry retreats, Shadow Lake Lodge has been drawing adventurers into the wilderness since the Canadian Pacific Railway built the original log cabin here in 1929. After decades under the Brewster family, the lodge was purchased by the Alpine Club of Canada in 2019 — and in 2025, the ACC made a change that has opened the place up to a whole new generation of visitors. Out went the catered model with its premium price tag; in came a self-catering setup more in line with how the ACC runs its broader hut network. Bring your own food and sleeping bag, and the lodge's private heated cabins, communal kitchen, shared lounge, and hot showers are yours to enjoy — at a much more accessible price point.

The setting is stunning. Nestled in an alpine meadow surrounded by peaks, with Shadow Lake a short stroll away and Gibbon Pass rising dramatically above, the hiking opportunities alone justify the 14 km hike in via Redearth Creek Trail. The first 11 km can also be covered by bike — a popular option for families — before locking up at the junction for the final climb to the lodge. In winter, the trail becomes a cross-country ski route; come prepared with avalanche safety gear, as it crosses several avalanche paths.

A stay at Shadow Lake Lodge is one of those Canadian Rockies experiences that stays with you—highly recommended.