Nestled in the Rockies
since 1922
Have you known us
by another name?
The Lodge sits on land that has been home to Indigenous peoples for generations. The Nations of the Blackfoot Confederacy (Siksika, Kainai, Piikani), the Stoney Nakoda, Tsuut’ina, Ktunaxa, Secwepemc, Mountain Cree as well as the Métis Homeland have all traditionally called this area part of their territory.
At The Lodge we honour the deep history of the property and individuals who built it while valuing open and honest communication with Indigenous people connected to the area. In working with Indigenous consultants and Elders from the Stoney Nakoda Nation, it was determined that the original name of The Lodge, “Num-Ti-Jah,” was not officially gifted to Jimmy Simpson, nor spelled correctly. Therefore, at the Elder’s recommendation, the new stewards of The Lodge decided to remove it from the name.
As staff and owners at The Lodge at Bow Lake, we are deeply thankful for the stories and information shared with us by surrounding Indigenous communities, and are committed to continued learning.
“Someday I’ll build a shack there.”
In 1898, twenty-one-year-old mountaineer, trapper, guide and Scottish-runaway Jimmy Simpson passed the location The Lodge now stands and said, “someday I’ll build a shack there.” About 25 years later, he did, and ten years after that the original “shack” would become a 24-guest-room lodge, complete with a parlour, dining room, and horse stables, ready to support the guests coming through on the newly built Banff-Jasper highway.
The original construction, expansion, and day-to-day operations of The Lodge took place under Simpson’s passionate, if sometimes law-bending direction. He even guided mountain tours and hunting parties for his guests well into the 1940s.
The Lodge continued to welcome guests until 2020 when it shut down due to the pandemic. Today, a group of new owners have come together to refurbish the recognizable structure, with attention to modern sustainability practises and deep respect for the history of the land itself.
Photo courtesy of the Whyte Museum of the Canadian Rockies, v469_i_na_1002
Photo courtesy of the Whyte Museum of the Canadian Rockies, v577_5_63_na66_265
Join the team
Working at The Lodge means becoming a part of our family. The unforgettable experiences aren’t just for the guests; bring your skills to life in a truly one-of-a-kind atmosphere.