We are huge fans of off-the-beaten path with a big dose of nature, but not isolated. Red Barn Lodge is this in spades, which is why this is our fifth visit. We love their location at the end of a road situated on 13 acres of pristine forest and only 4 miles (6 km) from Red Mountain. An eclectic mix of local and Canadian native art adorns the walls. The hilly clearing immediately behind the Red Barn Lodge is perfect for sledding, building snow people, and goofing around in the snow. And, a snowy path leads from the clearing into the quiet forest for exploring.
The views of the Kootenay Mountains are spectacular from the Red Barn Lodge. We like to wake up early, sit in the nook outside our room wrapped in a thick woolen blanket, watch the light rise over the mountains, and see the mist settle over the mountains.
The blue guest room is full of light with a similar mountain view. The green room is across the hall. On the guest level, the ceilings are covered in knotty wood, the earth-tone concrete floors have radiant heat for toasty toes, and the extra Swiss blankets keep us warm and cozy. In our room, there is a mini-frig with local milk and varied juice boxes. Organic coffee and tea making items sit atop. A carafe of fresh water is refilled daily. Dishes, utensils, and a wine opener are available in a bureau in the sitting nook outside the room. The large claw foot bathtub, copious towels, and bath supplies are a lovely touch.
On rainy days, a large screen with HDMI and lightning connectors is available in the sitting nook to stream movies via the free Wi-Fi and your personal computer or tablet, along with a handful of DVDs and a DVD player.
The second floor is a large open room with old, large plank wood flooring and large picture windows framing even more expansive views of the Kootenays. The breakfast table is long and communal, next to the open kitchen and the wood-burning stove where boots and mittens dry. Breakfasts are filling and delicious, e.g. frittatas, porridge, or eggs with salsa and corn tortillas. All breakfasts are healthy and vegetarian as are the hosts.
Anthony and Helen are amazing hosts--kind, thoughtful, and helpful. They renovated an old dairy barn to create their beautiful home. They sleep upstairs and their wonderful son, Oliver, who is now 10, sleeps downstairs adjacent to the two guest rooms inside the main house. On our previous visits, Anthony and Helen have graciously loaned us snowshoes and sleds for our visits. They are also excellent downhill, cross-country, and telemark skiers with a wealth of local knowledge.
Lastly, laying hens, miniature donkeys, goats, and a rooster live in the working barn behind the house where my son has enjoyed helping collect eggs for breakfast accompanied by Emmy, their Austrian sheep dog.
The motivation for us to come to Red Mountain to ski is now equally split amongst our amazing hosts, the Red Barn Lodge, and the unspoiled terrain of Red Mountain. If you love the outdoors and want to be treated as warmly as family, I highly recommend you consider the Red Barn Lodge. read more
