A weekend at Mount Assiniboine Lodge (with a baby)
About
THE LODGE AND HUTS
Tucked deep in Mount Assiniboine Provincial Park, Assiniboine Lodge is as remote as it is peaceful. The only way in is on foot, by ski, or via a helicopter flight. It’s a highly sought-after destination, but with space for just 12 guests in winter and 30 in summer, spots are limited. The summer setup includes 10 guests in the main lodge and 20 spread across five private cabins, while winter stays are exclusively in private cabins.
Booking the Lodge
The booking process is unique. For summer stays, hopeful guests submit a request form between August 1–30 for the following season. The lodge reviews requests in September and begins notifying people in November. Returning guests get priority, and about half of the bookings go to those who have stayed before. Being flexible with dates and accommodation types increases your chances. Some years, a waitlist is available, but it’s not guaranteed.
Lodge Stays
All stays must align with the lodge’s helicopter schedule, whether you fly or hike in. Flights run on Sundays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, with long weekends adjusting to a Monday schedule. The booking request form only allows reservations based on these flight days, with a maximum group size of 10.
Naiset Huts
Managed by Assiniboine Lodge but owned by BC Parks, the Naiset Huts are a more rustic option. These five backcountry huts sleep 5–8 people each, with access to the nearby Wonder Lodge cooking shelter. To book, you’ll need to fill all available spots. Stays must also follow the helicopter flight schedule. Reservations open via phone in January for the following summer.
Hind Hut
This backcountry hut is designed for climbers attempting to summit Mount Assiniboine. It is not intended for general hiking stays. Bookings are made through Assiniboine Lodge.
Camping
There are multiple hiking routes into Assiniboine Lodge, with several campgrounds along the way. The most popular option is Lake Magog Campground, just 1.5 km from the lodge. Its 40 tent pads can be reserved through BC Parks. While campers don’t have access to lodge facilities, they are welcome to attend the Hiker Happy Hour (Afternoon Tea), hosted most afternoons from 4–5 p.m.
For detailed hiking routes, packing lists, and additional accommodation options, check out the Assiniboine Lodge website
OUR TRIP
This was the big summer trip for us, and when we got the call that a spot had opened up, we didn’t hesitate. Assiniboine Lodge is notoriously hard to book, and a chance like this doesn’t come around often. Thankfully, a private cabin was available—our only real option since we’d be bringing a young baby.
At the time of booking, Aurora hadn’t been born yet, so we also secured helicopter flights in and out. The extra cost felt well worth it, knowing we’d only be a few months postpartum and weren’t sure what kind of hiking we’d be up for.
The timing wasn’t exactly ideal—this trip fell just a week after our stay at Skoki Lodge. But Assiniboine is one of those places you don’t turn down, and with the dates landing around our wedding anniversary, it felt like a perfect excuse to make it happen.
By the time of our trip, Aurora had already been on four flights, thanks to family living out of province, so we weren’t too worried about the helicopter ride. At worst, we figured we could keep her distracted for the quick eight-minute trip from Mount Shark to the Lodge.
Coming off one backcountry lodge stay, camping for four days in between and rolling straight into another felt like a lot—but we were more than ready to take it on.
OUR DETAILS
Booked: Cautley Cabin
Hiked in: August 2024
Length: Multiple day hikes
Group size: 2.5
We rated it: Easy to moderate (we flew in and out and opted for easy day hikes)
Highlight: Views from Sunburst peak lookout
Hangup: Popular, hard to book and pricey, but so so so worth it.
HighlightsFly-in / Fly-out option
We opted to fly in and fly out from the Mount Shark helipad, which makes bringing a baby much easier.
Dirty diapers
Staying in a cabin allowed us to leave any garbage to be taken out with the Lodge’s trash, saving us from needing to hike out the dirty diapers which we would have if we had of camped or booked a Naiset Hut.
Things to note Schedule
Assiniboine follows a set daily schedule, with breakfast and dinner served at designated times. A selection of sandwiches and snacks is arranged each morning so you can pack your own to-go lunch.
There is a hiker happy hour every afternoon when guests staying at the Lodge, huts and neighbouring campgrounds all come together.
TipsBabies and young children
If you’re bringing an infant, keep in mind that you’ll likely need to book a private cabin, as stays in the main lodge aren’t typically an option.
Day 1Flying in, the Niblet and Northern Lights
8 km hiked on day one
After checking in at the Mount Shark helipad and getting our gear sorted, we waited for our turn to board. A few minutes later, we were airborne, soaring over alpine meadows and turquoise lakes. The flight was quick but breathtaking, and before we knew it, we were touching down at Assiniboine Lodge. A staff member greeted us, led us inside to sign waivers, and gave us a quick orientation before we headed off to our cabin.
We had booked Cautley Cabin for the weekend—a cozy space with a queen bed, a single bed, a closet, a small desk, and even a vanity with running water. After dropping our bags, we didn’t waste any time getting out the door.
If you’ve seen any photos from the Assiniboine area, you’ve probably come across the iconic view of Mount Assiniboine and Sunburst Peak from the Niblet, Nublet, or Nub Peak. It’s the photo to take while visiting, and we were eager to see it in person.
We followed the Nub to Assiniboine Lodge Connector trail up to the Niblet, the first of the three viewpoints. Unfortunately, the wind was relentless, so we didn’t linger. But since it’s only a 4 km hike from the Lodge, we knew we’d be back. Instead of continuing to the Nublet and Nub Peak, we dropped down, weaving along the shores of Cerulean and Sunburst Lakes before circling back to the Lodge. We caught the tail end of happy hour, soaking up the late afternoon light on the front deck before heading inside for dinner.
One of the perks of nursing Aurora was being awake at odd hours. At some point in the night, I noticed a glow outside our window. A quick peek out the door turned into an impromptu 2 a.m. photo session as the northern lights lit up the sky. I woke Ryan up, and we stood outside, watching them dance over the peaks. The next morning at breakfast, we realized that everyone else had slept through it—which somehow made the whole thing feel even more special.
From left to right: Lake Magog, Sunburst Lake and Cerulean Lake
Day 2Lake Magog and Wonder Pass
8.5 km hiked on day two
We woke up to clear skies and warming temps—a welcome sight after hearing that the area had been hit with a heavy snowfall just days before. Most of it had melted by the time we arrived, but part of me wished we’d seen the wildflowers in full bloom before they got weighed down.
Our morning started with a quick stop at Lake Magog for the obligatory family photo before heading toward Wonder Pass. We didn’t hike all the way, and in hindsight, we probably should have pushed a little farther to catch the views of Marvel Lake. But turning back early meant we made it to Hiker Happy Hour just in time to snag a front-deck seat—which turned out to be a great decision.
It was packed in the best way possible. Nearly 50 people gathered out front, swapping stories, sharing drinks, and soaking up the late afternoon sun with an unbeatable view. Eventually, as happy hour wrapped up, most people drifted back toward their campgrounds, while Lodge guests wandered off to get ready for dinner.
Later that night, I was up tending to Aurora and decided to step outside, just in case the northern lights made another appearance. They didn’t—but what I did find was an unbelievably bright Milky Way, stretching across the sky. So, once again, I found myself standing outside our cabin, camera and tripod in hand, for far longer than I’d like to admit.
Day 3Family photos, the Niblet and a cold dip
8.5 km hiked on day three
As soon as we secured our Assiniboine Lodge booking, I knew I wanted a photo of Ryan holding Aurora in front of the Lodge sign—so that was mission number one. We took a handful of family photos on the front porch before setting off for a second trip up to the Niblet, this time with perfect weather.
At this point, we were just so happy to be here. With great weather, amazing views, and a happy baby. Documenting our little fam in this beautiful spot was the focus of the day.
After soaking in the views from the Niblet, we followed the same trail back down and set up at Cerulean Lake for the afternoon. I had big ambitions of jumping in, but I totally chickened out; it was way too cold for me. Instead, I hung out with Aurora while Ryan took the polar plunge.
We ended up back at the Lodge earlier than expected, spending the rest of the afternoon relaxing in the cozy living room before dinner—soaking in one last slow evening in this incredible place.
Day 4Flying out
0 km hiked on day three
Since we were staying over a long weekend, our fourth day at the Lodge was a short one. Flights out happen first thing in the morning, so we packed up our cabin, prepped our bags, and said our goodbyes to Claude, Annick, and the team before waiting for our turn to fly home.
Visiting Assiniboine Lodge was a true bucket list trip. Getting a waitlist spot wasn’t part of our original summer plans, but it was an opportunity we’re so glad we took. Bringing a baby into the backcountry was still new to us at the time, and like any big adventure, it came with its share of unknowns. But by the time we flew out, we left feeling more confident as parents and even more excited to keep sharing our love for the outdoors with Aurora.
