Island Lake Resort serves up a tasty opening to the summer season with the second annual Untamed Kootenays Culinary Event June 8 to 10.
Underscoring the resort’s reputation as one of the premiere choices for dining in Fernie, the event offers two full days of exceptional cuisine, paired with an array of recreation opportunities, from the purely relaxing to the invigorating!
Untamed Kootenays
An opportunity to immerse yourself in mountain culture, savour lodge-made gourmet meals, created with an abundance of ingredients sourced and foraged from the surrounding Elk Valley, enjoy guided hiking and spa time or simply kick back and relax on the patio.
As a special treat for the weekend, two notable Calgary chefs join Island Lake Lodge’s own chef Keith Farkas in the kitchen – Blair Clemis, Chef de Cuisine of Model Milk, and Executive Chef John Paul Pedhirney, of the acclaimed Bridgette Bar.
Here’s what’s cooking:
• Friday Night Winemaker’s Dinner hosted by BC Wine Studio, with winemaker Mark Simpson discussing the winery process and select vintages with pairings for each of four courses prepared by the Island Lake chef team.
• Following a delicious breakfast, Saturday activity choices include foraging with the chefs (fiddleheads should be in season!), then help prepare the finds. Enjoy a guided interpretive hike, take advantage of summer spa specials, or sign up for a free canoe rental.
In the afternoon, sample the lodge’s new summer menu embracing its commitment to using organic, local and and traditionally raised foods, sourced from local growers and producers as much as possible. Smoked bison carpaccio or grilled salmon tacos, perhaps?
• The Saturday Night Chef Showcase features an amazing five courses prepared by five chefs. In addition to weekend packages, dinner-only options are available for both Friday and Saturday.
Outdoor adventure
In welcoming the new season, this is your chance to explore a full summer of adventures.
Hiking guides can take you on short half-day interpretive walks or all-day adventures – a great way to discover places you may not experience on your own. Kicking off the schedule are Big White Peak July 1 – don’t miss the glacier lilies –Heiko’s Trail July 15 and the grand opening of the Goldilocks trail July 29.
Prefer a solo adventure? Marked trails are begging to be explored, and from short, easy walks to longer more advanced hikes, there’s lots to discover. Rounding out the summer’s many adventures are mountain biking, paddling and casting your line into the trout-filled tributaries of the Elk River.
Time to relax
Surrounded by nature, there’s no better place to recharge. Complementing those outdoor escapes is the Lodge’s signature spa in Fernie, designed for relaxation. From full packages to a special Wednesday Ladies’ Day mani-pedi-combo just for summer, this is your opportunity to revitalize your health and restore your spirit.
