Looking for a quiet, luxurious stay in the Rockies? Here’s what to expect from Skyridge Glamping in Kananaskis, Alberta, my full review and tips.
Skyridge Glamping was the first stop on my Alberta road trip, but when I pulled into the gravel lot and unlocked the door to my SkyBox, I was still carrying the buzz of deadlines, airports, and everything in between. I wasn’t quite present yet. Then I walked in.
The space was quiet and beautifully minimal, with massive windows that opened right onto the mountains. The air smelled like pine and warm wood. I made tea, curled up on the sofa, and for the first time in days, noticed the way the light moved across the floor.
Skyridge is an adults-only glamping retreat tucked into the Kananaskis landscape, just off Highway 40, but it felt like its own little world. If you’re looking for a stay that feels intentional, quiet, and a little bit luxurious without being overdone, this is a place worth knowing about.
Here’s what to expect if you’re planning your own visit.
Don’t forget to check out all of my Alberta blog posts to make the most of your roadtrip!
Why you should stay at Skyridge Glamping
About Skyridge Glamping
Skyridge Glamping is an adults-only retreat located just off Highway 40 in Kananaskis, about an hour from Calgary and not far from Canmore. It’s made up of just a few sleek, Scandinavian-inspired micro-cabins called SkyBoxes, each one designed to feel private, peaceful, and completely immersed in the surrounding landscape.
Skyridge is also fully off-grid and eco-conscious, powered by solar and built with sustainability in mind. And because it’s adults-only and self-check-in, it’s one of the quietest, most low-key stays I’ve experienced in a long time.
Each SkyBox has its own private patio, with uninterrupted views of the mountains and forest. It’s the kind of space that makes you want to slow everything down: drink your coffee outside, stretch out on the chairs with a book, or just sit still and listen to the wind in the trees.In the mornings, I used the patio as my own little yoga deck. There’s something about moving through a few stretches with that kind of backdrop that feels different than it does at home. Even if you’re not someone who usually spends a lot of time outdoors, this space invites you to.
Inside the SkyBox: What the Cabins Are Like
The first thing I noticed when I stepped inside my SkyBox was how intentional everything felt. It wasn’t overly styled or crowded with extras, just clean lines, soft textures, and that massive window pulling my attention straight to the trees outside. Each SkyBox is a self-contained micro-cabin designed for two people. There’s a king-sized bed with an adjustable base (yes, you can elevate your feet and head with a remote, I did this every night while reading), and it’s positioned to face the window, so you can watch the sunrise or snowfall from bed.
The bathroom feels like something out of a modern spa: a spacious glass shower, plush towels, and a surprisingly luxurious feel for a glamping setup. No composting toilets or campground vibes here, this is a real bathroom, and it makes all the difference.
The kitchen is small but functional, with a stovetop, fridge, kettle, and French press. I made coffee every morning and brought snacks for the evenings, perfect for solo stays or slow mornings.
It’s minimal in the best way. Every element feels like it’s there to support what really matters: comfort, calm, and that feeling of being totally surrounded by nature.
Things to Do Nearby
One of the best things about staying at Skyridge is how close it is to everything, without feeling like it. You’re tucked into your own little bubble of quiet, but in just a few minutes, you can be on a trail, soaking in a spa, or grabbing a coffee in Canmore.
Here are a few favorite things to do nearby, most of which I experienced during my stay:
Grassi Lakes Trail
This beginner-friendly trail is one of the most scenic short hikes in the area, and it’s just a quick drive from Skyridge. Two brilliantly colored lakes, views over Canmore, and an option between an easy or more adventurous route make it perfect for any level of hiker.
Drive the Smith-Dorrien Trail
If you’re more into road trip vibes than trail mileage, this scenic gravel road winds through alpine valleys and past glacier-fed lakes. It’s beautiful any time of day, and you’ll pass barely anyone else once you’re past the trailheads.
Troll Falls
If you’re looking for something peaceful and low-effort with a great payoff, Troll Falls is a perfect choice. The trail is short and mostly flat, winding through forest and leading to a tucked-away waterfall that feels straight out of a fairytale. Great for beginners, solo hikers, or anyone wanting a lighter day on the trails.
Visit the Kananaskis Nordic Spa
If hiking’s not your thing — or you just need a break from it — the nearby Nordic Spa offers a hydrotherapy circuit that’s hard to beat. Hot pools, cold plunges, steam rooms, and no phones allowed. Book in advance, especially on weekends.
Read more // Need more inspiration? I’ve shared a full breakdown of what to do in Kananaskis in my travel guide, including easy hikes, viewpoints, and off-the-beaten-path ideas to help you plan around your stay.
Final Thoughts
Starting my Alberta road trip at Skyridge Glamping was exactly what I didn’t know I needed. It gave me space to pause before jumping into a busy itinerary, and it reminded me that sometimes the most memorable moments come from stillness, not movement. This wasn’t just a place to sleep, it was a place to land. To catch my breath. To watch the light shift across the mountains and feel, even for a day or two, completely tucked away from everything.
If you’re planning a trip through the Rockies and want a stay that feels intentional, quiet, and beautifully designed, Skyridge is the kind of place you’ll carry with you long after checkout. It’s the perfect base for exploring Kananaskis, or for doing absolutely nothing at all.
* P.S. I was invited by Skyridge Glamping for this stay but all opinions (and obsessions) are 100% mine!
Don’t forget to check out my other Alberta blog posts to make the most of your road trip in the Rockies!
PIN THIS FOR LATER
Follow me on Instagram!
Some places you visit and forget about a week later. And then there are the ones that stay with you.
I had never heard of the Phantom Piper before I went to Kincardine. Someone mentioned it in passing – « there’s this thing with a piper and a lighthouse at sunset » – and I filed it away as something to maybe check out if I had time.
I had time. And I am so glad I did.
I’m not going to tell you too much because I think this is one of those experiences that deserves to be felt rather than described. What I will say is that I stood there on the shore of Lake Huron as the sun went down and the pipes started playing and something about the whole thing – the water, the light, the sound carrying across the harbour – just got me.
This summer marks a milestone anniversary of a tradition that has been happening in this small Ontario town since the 1990s. And if you ask me, that’s reason enough to finally make the trip.
This year the Phantom Piper will run every day of the week (except for Saturdays) from 1 July to 31 August.
Have you ever witnessed the Phantom Piper?
🇫🇷 La version française est dans les commentaires.
#kincardine #phantompiper #exploreontario #ontariotravel #ontariobucketlist
If someone asked you to name an Ontario weekend getaway right now, Lanark County probably wouldn’t be the first thing that came to mind. Maybe not even the fifth. And honestly, that’s exactly why I want to talk about it.
It sits right between Ottawa and Kingston. About hour from either city. And somehow, most people drive right past it without ever stopping. I did too, for years.
Then I actually went. And I’ve been recommending it to everyone since.
Because what’s here is the kind of thing you don’t expect to find so close to home. A thermal spa tucked into the forest. A restaurant with one of the best patios in Ontario. A town that looks like it was designed for a Hallmark movie. Rivers and lakes that beg to be paddled. A treehouse on a peninsula with water on every side. And enough charm per square kilometre to make you feel like you’ve properly gotten away, even if you were home by Sunday night.
Lanark County is the weekend getaway that’s been right there the whole time. Swipe through for everything you need to plan it.
Have you been to Lanark County before? Is it going on your list this summer 👇
🇫🇷 La version française est dans les commentaires.
#lanarkcounty #ontariogetaway #exploreontario #ontariotravel #ottawaweekend
When I walk into a space for the first time, I’m not really looking at the room. I’m looking at the light.
Where it comes in. How it moves through the curtains. What it does at 7am versus 4pm. That’s what tells me what kind of story I’m going to be able to tell.
Closs Crossing gave me a lot to work with.
The morning light through the treehouse windows. The deck faced east so the sunrise came in early and golden, through the trees, catching the string lights just right. By late afternoon the whole property turned amber. The hot tub at sunset, the hammock in the trees, the still water reflecting everything back, I was basically chasing light from one corner of this property to the other and I didn’t want to stop.
The interiors were just as beautiful. Every room had its own personality: the wallpaper, the vintage furniture, the carefully chosen details that tell you the people behind this place genuinely care about how it feels to be here. That kind of intentionality shows up in photos. You can’t fake it.
This is the kind of property that makes my job feel less like work.
If you own a cottage, a rental property or a stay and you’re looking for someone to capture it, this is what I do. Feel free to reach out. 🌿
Which shot is your favourite? 👇
A huge thank you to my friend @melina.e.l.i.a.s for helping me capture this one, some shots just need a second set of hands and she was the best person to have behind the lens. 🤍
Thank you to @closscrossing for hosting me.
🇫🇷 La version française est dans les commentaires.
#closscrossing #lanarkcounty #ontariophotographer #travelphotography
Ontario is big. Like, really big. And most of us end up visiting the same handful of cities on repeat, which honestly makes sense because they’re great.
But this province has so many towns and cities that fly completely under the radar and I have been on a mission to find them.
Some of these I stumbled across by accident. Some were recommended by people who clearly had very good taste. And a few of them genuinely surprised me in ways I didn’t expect.
Swipe through and tell me how many you’ve actually been to. I have a feeling most of you will surprise yourselves.
Drop a number below : how many have you visited? 👇
🇫🇷 La version française est dans les commentaires.
#exploreontario #ontariotravel #ontariotowns #ontariocities #canadatravel
Muskoka. Algonquin. Haliburton.
Three of Ontario’s most beautiful regions, and most people visit them separately, on different trips, in different summers. But do them together as one loop and something clicks. It just makes sense. And it is so good.
363 kilometres of waterfalls, lakes, hikes with, wildlife encounters you’ll be talking about for years. And some of the most beautiful stays in Ontario tucked right along the route.
Save this, summer fills up fast and this loop deserves a spot on your calendar.
Have you done this loop before? What was you favourite stop?
🇫🇷 La version française est dans les commentaires.
#muskoka #algonquin #haliburton #ontarioroadtrip #exploreontario
