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Mommy Gearest

Real life. Real reviews.

Panorama Springs Lodge review

By 206 Comments

During a recent visit to Panorama Mountain Resort, I was booked into a family suite in the Panorama Springs Lodge.

There are a bunch of awesome things to do at Panorama, which you can read about in my post about Panorama Resort on TravelingMom, but let’s start with a good look at one of the most family-friendly properties at the resort.

THE GOOD

The Springs Lodge is located in Panorama’s upper village. Much like Tremblant, there’s a lower village, too, which connects via cabriolet. The upper village at Panorama is where you’ll get access to the best restaurants and bars and it’s where you need to be to catch a chair lift or check into lessons, ski in the Discovery Zone (for beginners), and so on. So this location is fabulous.

I was also the only one out of our group who was able to ski right out of my accommodations. With kids along for the ride, this is key. KEY! Not only is it a true ski-in/-out property but what I like best is that you ski right into the Discovery Zone onto the easier of the two bunny hills. So amazing if you’ve got kids who are just getting back into the swing of things or there are beginners in your family.

Panorama Springs lodge for families

I could see the bunny hill from my balcony.

One night, after a particularly long day on the slopes, my group decided to meet in the Panorama Springs Hot Pools for some R&R. As a guest in the Springs Lodge, I was the only one who didn’t have to walk outside or up the path to reach the pools. This lodging is the only one in the village that’s connected! It’s pretty nice to be able to wander down from your room in a towel and flip flops.

Panorama hot pools are located at the Springs Lodge.

A night shot of the Panorama Springs Hot Pools. Gorgeous, right?

My room was clean, bright and comfortable. And cozy! I arrived to find the fireplace on in my living room. There’s a pullout couch in there, then a small dining table and a kitchen — complete with dishwasher.

The Springs Lodge is a condo-style room, so everything you need to cook and eat in your room is there, so you could save a bundle of money this way. (There’s even a free daily shuttle to and from Invermere, about 20 minutes away, if you need to pick up groceries, booze, etc.)

What size room does my family need at Panorama Springs Lodge?

The king bed in the master was really comfortable, and closing the blinds was enough to get it pitch black at night.

In fact, I found that it stayed quite dark until around 9 a.m. because the sun just isn’t over the mountains yet. So if you have kids who need complete darkness to sleep, they’ll get it here.

There was a nice, big balcony with a table big enough to seat four people. This would be gorgeous in the summer because the view from the Panorama Springs Lodge is just gorgeous. (Important note here about summer stays, though — apparently the rooms here are not equipped with air conditioning. Having never stayed in the summer, I can’t tell you if the mountain breeze is enough to keep it cool, but that would be my guess.)

The wifi is fast and free. The only slower service I experienced was when I was trying to download some Netflix movies for my plane ride home. And considering it was “hotel wifi,” it was excellent overall.

It was easy to get to the Lodge’s street-level exit from the second floor, but you can also take a short-cut into the village by going down to the first floor and walking out near the pools, as if you were going to ski out. There’s a little walking path to the right instead.

Remember how I mentioned that the fireplace was on when I arrived? That’s because it’s controlled by the thermostat. It’s what heats the room! I loved this because it was usually on when I woke up, which is extra-comforting on an otherwise dark and cold morning. I always left my winter boots, ski boots, socks and underwear in front of the hearth at night so when I put it on in the morning (or in the case of my winter boots, for après), they were toasty warm. Ski boots are soooooo much easier to get on when the plastic is warmed a little.

Fireplace in Panorama Springs Lodge one-bedroom condo

It’s great that the Springs Lodge offers a variety of rooms for different-sized groups. There’s a studio with a queen bed and a queen pullout. There’s a one-bedroom, which is what I had, with a king bed (splittable into two twins) and a queen pullout. And there’s also a two-bedroom, with one split-king in the first bedroom, a queen or two singles in the second, a queen pullout and two bathrooms.

The price needs to be noted, because it’s very good. A quick online check for a midweek stay in early February 2017 at Panorama Springs Lodge gives me CAD$148 a night for the studio and $252 for the two bedroom. Considering the two-bedroom suite can fit six adults, you’re looking at $42 per person per night. Even a Thursday to Sunday stay during March Break this year only increases these prices marginally ($236/night and $272/night, respectively). Killer deal if you ask me.

Ski lockers! So great to have a ski locker. It’s on the first floor and has the same number as your room. If you don’t have a lock, you can get one at the front desk at check-in with a $20 credit card deposit. The only problem…

THE GAFFE

…is that I’m not sure it would be big enough for a family of fours skis/boards and poles. Two sets, yes. Four? Questionable.

New pillows would be welcome. Yes, yes, I’m a pillow snob. They certainly weren’t the worst I’ve ever slept on (the ones at Jewel Runaway Bay take the cake), but they could have been fluffier.

The décor is a bit dated, which could be from all that glorious sun streaming through the windows. It might be that it’s more faded than dated, actually. It’s perfectly fine and especially good for parents with kids who will inevitably walk around in their ski or snowboard boots. But if you’re looking for luxury accommodations, with luxe details like granite countertops, you’ll have to lower your expectations a tad. This is family-friendly and cozy, but the Ritz it ain’t. I’d stay here with my family regardless — especially with the room rates being what they are.

The bathroom is really, really small. It’s a one-person-at-a-time kind of bathroom. If my kids were older, its size would be problematic for sure because the only way two people will fit in there at the same time is if one person is in the shower. The counter space is also very limited, so bring those toiletry bags that hang instead of ones that need to sit open on a countertop.

THE GEARS

4/5

Check out these related posts:

New York City Greenwich Village sweets tour
The perfect family day out in Niagara-on-the-Lake
A (virtual) list of extracurricular activities

Comments

  1. This would be such a nice getaway spot for my hubby and I. I can overlook the small bathroom, LOL! Just as long as we have the room to ourselves and our boys are home with my mother. 🙂

    Reply

  2. This would be such a nice getaway spot for my hubby and I. I can overlook the small bathroom, LOL! Just as long as we have the room to ourselves and our boys are home with my mother. 🙂

    Reply

  5. I love the cozy vibe of this place! It seems perfect being that it is cozy but also luxurious. And that king bed? Nothing is better than a homey place with a big king sized bed to come “home” to after a long day out in the snow.

    Reply

  6. I love the cozy vibe of this place! It seems perfect being that it is cozy but also luxurious. And that king bed? Nothing is better than a homey place with a big king sized bed to come “home” to after a long day out in the snow.

    Reply

  23. I don’t ski, but your photos make it look pretty enticing! I love that you always comment on the good as well as the not so good.

    Reply

  24. I don’t ski, but your photos make it look pretty enticing! I love that you always comment on the good as well as the not so good.

    Reply

  27. Sounds like your family had a good time with lots of memories to share. I too am a pillow slob too.. I take a cover to put on the hotel pillows. So I have a semblance of have a “clean” pillow. Yes, it is silly but.
    Like your pics too.

    Reply

  28. Sounds like your family had a good time with lots of memories to share. I too am a pillow slob too.. I take a cover to put on the hotel pillows. So I have a semblance of have a “clean” pillow. Yes, it is silly but.
    Like your pics too.

    Reply

  35. The view outside looks pretty amazing! I too think – based on the your photos – that new decor would be nice but it is definitely doable because it does give the place a homey-lodge feel for sure.

    Reply

  36. The view outside looks pretty amazing! I too think – based on the your photos – that new decor would be nice but it is definitely doable because it does give the place a homey-lodge feel for sure.

    Reply

  45. Always good to have place like this on your travel list : attractive, comfortable, convenient, friendly and budget minded.

    Reply

  46. Always good to have place like this on your travel list : attractive, comfortable, convenient, friendly and budget minded.

    Reply

  67. Sounds like an affordable getaway. I don’t mind dated, but it’s gotta be clean, so glad to hear that it was. Thanks for the review.

    Reply

  68. Sounds like an affordable getaway. I don’t mind dated, but it’s gotta be clean, so glad to hear that it was. Thanks for the review.

    Reply

  77. I’ve always wanted to go skiing..it’s one of those things that you say..I want to go..one day I’ll go and it never happens.

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  78. I’ve always wanted to go skiing..it’s one of those things that you say..I want to go..one day I’ll go and it never happens.

    Reply

  83. I agree, I have stayed there and it was dated 10 years ago, 2 people per suite is what is comfortable for the size of the rooms, It’s a shame because it’s a beautiful place!

    Reply

  84. I agree, I have stayed there and it was dated 10 years ago, 2 people per suite is what is comfortable for the size of the rooms, It’s a shame because it’s a beautiful place!

    Reply

  89. My husband and I got married at Panorama in the summer and it was beautiful, affordable compared to Calgary and the staff were amazing to deal with!

    Reply

  90. My husband and I got married at Panorama in the summer and it was beautiful, affordable compared to Calgary and the staff were amazing to deal with!

    Reply

  91. What a wonderful trip. I tend to visit family as my winter trip and tend to forget they can also be getaways.

    Reply

  92. What a wonderful trip. I tend to visit family as my winter trip and tend to forget they can also be getaways.

    Reply

  107. This lodge looks and sounds wonderful. My family (minus me now) are all skiers and would love this place and it sounds like there is enough to do within walking distance to keep this non-skier busy too.

    Reply

  108. This lodge looks and sounds wonderful. My family (minus me now) are all skiers and would love this place and it sounds like there is enough to do within walking distance to keep this non-skier busy too.

    Reply

  109. Sounds lovely

    If you can find six to split the cost then yes it’s a deal

    But most families would want the two bedroom by themselves

    The 148 although higher then I usually pay -is average nowadays for hotel

    Downtown Toronto you can get a room for about that

    Reply

  110. Sounds lovely

    If you can find six to split the cost then yes it’s a deal

    But most families would want the two bedroom by themselves

    The 148 although higher then I usually pay -is average nowadays for hotel

    Downtown Toronto you can get a room for about that

    Reply

  113. If you are a person who loves Winter activities (Which sadly I am not), this place looks wonderful. I assume it would be beautiful in the summer also. The scenery looks beautiful.

    Reply

  114. If you are a person who loves Winter activities (Which sadly I am not), this place looks wonderful. I assume it would be beautiful in the summer also. The scenery looks beautiful.

    Reply

  115. Your night picture of the hot springs is enough to make me want to go! Normally I see the outdoor pics and the first thought in my head is how cold it is getting in and out – that is so gorgeous that I think it would be worth it!

    Reply

  116. Your night picture of the hot springs is enough to make me want to go! Normally I see the outdoor pics and the first thought in my head is how cold it is getting in and out – that is so gorgeous that I think it would be worth it!

    Reply

  123. Looks pretty amazing!! Especially that night shot of hot tubs etc!! We have a place at Big White ski resort and it is nice but this one looks cozy.

    Reply

  124. Looks pretty amazing!! Especially that night shot of hot tubs etc!! We have a place at Big White ski resort and it is nice but this one looks cozy.

    Reply

  127. Looks like a great getaway – and so perfect being a ski-in/ski-out. Super convenient especially with kids.

    Reply

  128. Looks like a great getaway – and so perfect being a ski-in/ski-out. Super convenient especially with kids.

    Reply

  139. This place looks amazing! I would love to check this out, but I don’t like the cold so I have a hard time spending money to go somewhere cold. 🙂

    Reply

  140. This place looks amazing! I would love to check this out, but I don’t like the cold so I have a hard time spending money to go somewhere cold. 🙂

    Reply

  147. This place looks really nice and the room has an amazing view but I’d rather stay there in the summer because I hate the cold weather

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  148. This place looks really nice and the room has an amazing view but I’d rather stay there in the summer because I hate the cold weather

    Reply

  155. What a gorgeous view, I’m not really a winter person but that view would be totally worth it. 🙂

    Reply

  156. What a gorgeous view, I’m not really a winter person but that view would be totally worth it. 🙂

    Reply

  159. I’m not a ski bunny, but it looks like an awesome place to stay, and maybe even learn how at the discovery zone.

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  160. I’m not a ski bunny, but it looks like an awesome place to stay, and maybe even learn how at the discovery zone.

    Reply

  165. My family and I used to go to Panorama all the time when I was a child; its a lovely place in the summer and winter. Some friends and I are headed there this summer, just for a relaxing girls weekend.

    Reply

  166. My family and I used to go to Panorama all the time when I was a child; its a lovely place in the summer and winter. Some friends and I are headed there this summer, just for a relaxing girls weekend.

    Reply

  177. Now this sounds wonderful ! I am not one for being cold , but this place makes it look fun ! I have never been skiing , but i would love to try ! Always wanted to just never had a chance ! I really love the hot springs pool ! Im sure I would spend as much time in there as I could ! The added touches like the fireplace just make it look like an awesome place to go !

    Reply

  178. Now this sounds wonderful ! I am not one for being cold , but this place makes it look fun ! I have never been skiing , but i would love to try ! Always wanted to just never had a chance ! I really love the hot springs pool ! Im sure I would spend as much time in there as I could ! The added touches like the fireplace just make it look like an awesome place to go !

    Reply

  179. The scenery of the outdoors is what I’d be visiting for, not the furniture. After all, it’s only a place to rest my head. I think it’s perfect, not too fancy so I feel that I don’t belong -lol- (I’m not the fancy shmancy type). It would be perfect for me!

    Reply

  180. The scenery of the outdoors is what I’d be visiting for, not the furniture. After all, it’s only a place to rest my head. I think it’s perfect, not too fancy so I feel that I don’t belong -lol- (I’m not the fancy shmancy type). It would be perfect for me!

    Reply

  197. oh my gosh that night shot is absolutely gorgeous! what a beautiful place and looks so relaxing. I am more of a home body in the winter but I definitely wouldnt mind going to a place like this with the fam

    Reply

  198. oh my gosh that night shot is absolutely gorgeous! what a beautiful place and looks so relaxing. I am more of a home body in the winter but I definitely wouldnt mind going to a place like this with the fam

    Reply

  199. If you are skiing all day, no need for luxery and cozy is all you need at night. Sounds like an almost perfect value weekend place.

    Reply

  200. If you are skiing all day, no need for luxery and cozy is all you need at night. Sounds like an almost perfect value weekend place.

    Reply

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