Getting sixteen people — or even eight — from the front door to a mountain lodge without chaos requires a bit of planning. Here is everything you need to know before arriving at Grenadier Luxury Suites in Arbour Lake, from what to pack to how to spend the days.
Before You Leave: Book These in Advance
Some things sell out faster than you’d expect. If you are visiting in summer (July to September), secure your preferred dates for Banff National Park early — park entry requires a reservation on certain days during peak season. Restaurants like River Café require bookings well in advance, especially for larger groups.
If you would like a private chef for one of your evenings, book through our yhangry partnership before you arrive. It is one of the most popular additions to a Grenadier stay, and popular dates fill quickly.
What to Pack for Calgary
Calgary’s weather is famously unpredictable. The city sits at over 1,000 metres elevation and even a warm summer day can give way to a sharp evening. Layers are always the answer.
- Summer: Light clothing plus a fleece and a waterproof jacket. Sunscreen and sunglasses are essentials at altitude.
- Winter: Thermal base layers, ski gloves, waterproof boots, and warm après-ski layers for evenings in the hot tub.
- Year-round: Comfortable walking shoes, a reusable water bottle, and a proper camera — phone cameras genuinely struggle to capture the Rockies.
Getting Here
Calgary International Airport (YYC) is well-connected from across Canada, the US, and Europe. Arbour Lake is approximately 25 minutes from the airport by road. For groups of six or more, hiring cars gives you the most flexibility — public transport to the mountains is limited, and your own vehicle makes day trips significantly easier.
A Sample 5-Day Itinerary
- Day 1: Arrive, settle in, local dinner in the city
- Day 2: Full day in Banff — Lake Louise, Johnston Canyon, Banff town
- Day 3: Calgary day — Heritage Park, private chef dinner at the suite
- Day 4: Kananaskis or Canmore for a less-crowded mountain experience
- Day 5: Slow morning, hot tub, depart
Browse our properties → or check availability for your dates and start planning.
