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!
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I almost made a very different version of this reel.
Last time I posted about Smiths Falls, the comments surprised me and a lot of them seemed to come from people who actually live there. There’s nothing to do here. It’s boring. My first instinct was to make a whole clap-back video, screenshots and all.
But honestly? I get it. Nobody is a tourist in their own town. The canal is just the thing you cross on your way to work. The museum is where you went once on a school trip in grade four. When you see a place every single day, it goes invisible.
I grew up near the Bay of Fundy – home of the highest tides on the planet – and as a kid I thought it was the most boring place on earth. It took moving away to realize people cross oceans to see what was in my backyard.
So this reel is me being a tourist in your town for you. The 1912 bridge you’d paddle under if you hadn’t stopped noticing it. The museum where you can climb into the trains, and even sleep in one. The thrift trail. The mural. All of it.
To everyone who’s never been: this is your sign for an easy day trip from Ottawa or Kingston.
And to Smiths Falls locals: I dare you to do one thing from this list this weekend. Report back. 😌
What’s the thing in YOUR town that you’ve stopped noticing? I want to hear it.
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#SmithsFalls #RideauCanal #OntarioDayTrip #ExploreOntario #smalltownontario
I have a confession: half my road trips are reverse-engineered.
I don’t pick a destination and find a coffee shop nearby. I pick the coffee shop, then build a whole day around justifying the drive. A hike here, a beach there, some antiquing, all very respectable cover stories for the fact that I drove two hours for an iced latte.
Because here’s what I’ve figured out after years of crisscrossing Ontario: the best coffee shops are never just coffee shops. They’re the unofficial welcome centre of every small town. The barista knows which trail is muddy this week. The regulars will tell you where to park for free. The bulletin board has better local intel than any travel blog, mine included.
So this list isn’t really about coffee. It’s about the 12 places I use as an excuse to keep exploring this province. Swipe through, every single one comes with what to pair it with so you can build your own cover story.
From Thunder Bay to the County, consider this your permission slip to drive unreasonably far for caffeine.
Which one’s closest to you? And more importantly, what’s YOUR coffee shop worth driving for? I’m always taking notes. ☕
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#OntarioCoffeeShops #OntarioRoadTrip #DiscoverOntario #OntarioTravel #SmallTownOntario
For over a hundred years, the men who lived in this house woke up, looked at the lake, and went to work captaining the Wolfe Island ferry. Three generations of them. Same water, same crossing, every day.
I thought about that a lot during my stay at @themullinhouse_ (mainly from the bathtub, because the tub faces the lake and once you’re in it there’s no reason to be anywhere else.)
The Mullin House just opened as a stay, and those who brought it back to life did it in the best way that possible. Keeping the soul of the place.Places with an actual story make my job as a photographer easy. I just have to pay attention.
And if you want to stay here too: It’s a free 20-minute ferry from Kingston, 5 bedrooms, sleeps 10. So this is your sign to plan the group trip you keep talking about.
Save this for when you book it, and be honest, would you make it out of that bathtub by checkout?
Thank you to @themullinhouse_ for having me!
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#wolfeisland #kingstonontario #thousandislands #exploreontario #ontariotravel
I grew up an hour from the Bay of Fundy. And every few years, my school would pile us onto a bus and take us to Hopewell Rocks or Fundy National Park. And every single time, as a kid, I thought : ‘okay, cool. Rocks. Trees. Can we go home now?’
I had absolutely no idea what I was standing next to.
It took me leaving New Brunswick, travelling across the country before I came back to the Bay of Fundy as an adult and genuinely had my breath taken away. I grew up next to one of the most extraordinary places on the planet and completely took it for granted. And I think a lot of Maritimers probably feel the same way.
This carousel is my attempt to fix that, for myself, and for anyone who’s never made the trip. Scroll through and I’ll show you exactly how I’d plan a road trip along the New Brunswick side, from the tidal flats to the coastal cliffs to the little fishing towns that feel completely frozen in time.
And if you have extra days to spare, Saint John is absolutely worth a stop, underrated city, great food scene, and it sits right on the bay.
I’m also heading back this summer to try a stay I’ve had my eye on for a while, I genuinely cannot wait to tell you all about it. 👀
Save this for your New Brunswick road trip. 🙌
👇 Have you ever been to the Bay of Fundy? Were you as underwhelmed as I was at 10 years old? 😄
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#BayOfFundy #NewBrunswick #ExploreCanada #CanadaTravel #FundyNationalPark
I’ll be honest, when I pulled up to @whispering_springs I didn’t know what to expect. I’d seen the photos, I’d read the website, but nothing really prepares you for the moment you walk into your safari tent and realize this might actually be nicer than your apartment.
We’re talking a king bed, more space than I expected, and an actual bathtub, in a tent. I took a bath. In the woods. And I would do it again without hesitation.
Oh and the s’mores bar? Someone thought really hard about what would make people unreasonably happy at the end of a summer night and they nailed it.
Save this for your summer planning because at 90 minutes from Toronto there is really no reason to wait.
Now tell me have you ever gone glamping? If not, what are you waiting for!
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#OntarioGetaway #GlampingOntario #OntarioTravel #WeekendGetawayOntario
ExploreOntario
