As Christmas Nears, Brooks Lake Lodge is Tapped as a Top Cabin Destination
Newsday recently shared a piece recognizing historical luxury Wyoming guest ranch Brooks Lake Lodge & Spa as one of five family travel destinations in the U.S. to “feed your cabin fever,” and the timing could not be better as families begin to make their holiday plans. The cozy cabin vibe can provide the perfect Christmas and New Year’s destination, with the exclusive, all-inclusive Rocky Mountain resort opening December 23, 2018, for its winter season.
As familytravel.com originally put it, Brooks Lake Lodge “may feel just a little like paradise,” which is just one of the many reasons why this elegantly rustic resort is an ideal winter destination. With its setting in the wilds of Wyoming—tucked away in the Shoshone National Forest but within easy driving distance to Jackson Hole, Yellowstone National Park and Grand Teton National Park—Brooks Lake Lodge is perfect for snow enthusiasts looking for the rare combination of nature-rich outdoor amenities and cozy accommodations.
Not surprisingly, the Christmas season brings out Brooks Lake Lodge’s festive best. From the twinkly lighted pines outside to the fully decorated Christmas tree by a crackling fire inside the lodge’s beautiful and aptly named Grand Entrance, to the innovative and creative comfort foods that comprise the Christmas menu created by longtime Chef Whitney Hall—not to mention the pampering-level 2:1 staff-to-guest ratio—this year promises to be the best yet.
Chef Whitney Hall has prepared an excellent Christmas dinner menu featuring Braised Oxtail, served in a port and wild mushroom jus with Yorkshire pudding; Roasted Garlicky Lemon Linguini with cherrystone clams, blue mussels and deep-fried sea scallops and Pumpkin and Asiago Enchiladas with a pepita pesto and a browned butter drizzle. Sides include sautéed spinach with roasted heirloom carrots and herb-whipped sweet potatoes. For dessert guests can enjoy a Molasses Semifreddo in a gingersnap cup. And the chef, whose gourmet offerings have been praised by media including the Los Angeles Times and Food & Beverage magazine, has dreamed up a different but equally tasty special menu for New Year’s Eve dinner.
`The opportunities for appealing snow adventures for the Brooks Lake Lodge winter season, which runs through mid-March, are unparalleled. Most popular: Snowmobiling on the more than 2 million acres of powder-covered backcountry terrain, with panoramic views of the magnificent Pinnacle Buttes, Brooks Mountain and Richard’s Peak (additional fee applies). However, in addition to snowmobiling, the remote and expansive property offers cross-country skiing on groomed trails and in the nearby backcountry, along with snowshoeing, sledding, expert-guided wildlife excursions to see the migratory animals wintering near the lodge, and ice fishing on Brooks Lake.
At the end of a fun-filled (and snow-packed) day, guests can relax in the aforementioned cozy cabins, built in 1922, which are heated and sport wood-burning stoves and inviting sitting and dining areas, some with fireplaces and whirlpool or clawfoot tubs. Meanwhile, the captivating and comfortable lodge rooms have been individually decorated with handcrafted furnishings of lodgepole pine topped with goose-down comforters and including terrycloth spa robes for lounging. For an even more restful stay, the inviting and relaxing full-service spa provides complimentary use of the tranquility room, dry sauna, fitness room, and an 11-by-17-foot hot tub overlooking Brooks Lake and the Pinnacle Buttes. Spa services are available for booking at an additional price.
In addition, all guest meals are included and fit in well with a winter getaway: Chef Whitney creates hearty Western breakfasts each morning, filling lunches at noon, a Governor’s Tea with hors d’oeuvres for an afternoon pick-me-up, and gourmet dinners every night. To keep things lively, the Cowboy Bar within the lodge serves up fun and casual nighttime entertainment, along with an extensive selection of spirits.
