When Alan and Madeleine Ernst decided to put down roots in the Canadian Rocky Mountains after years of vacationing around the world, their dream destination became a draw for similarly minded, environmentally aware travelers.

They didn’t plan it that way, though.

While Aurum Lodge is definitely ‘green’ with its many power-saving and environmentally friendly features, guests are usually drawn more by the pristine wilderness, says Alan. The location near Banff National Park promises a quiet refuge that can be a launch pad for hiking and other activities.

A 12-page manual provided to guests in their rooms that explains the lodge’s ‘go green’ characteristics is a surprise hit, he says. It prompts vigorous tableside discussions among the international travelers and spurs some to adopt ‘green’ measures at home.

Discover Alberta parks travel packages and read on to explore the province’s growing ‘green’ consciousness at lodges, other facilities and parks, with the focus on Aurum Lodge.

Belief in Sustainable Tourism

“We’ve traveled a lot and have seen how areas can be destroyed by development,” says Ernst. “So we thought if we do this lodge, it’s the area that is the attraction in the first place and we will blend in. We believe in sustainable tourism.”

The year-round Aurum Lodge is located about 40 km (25 mi) east of Banff National Park at Whitegoat Lakes in the eastern front ranges of the Rockies. The lodge is surrounded by forests and mountain peaks, and it overlooks Lake Abraham.

The lodge produces all its own heat and power, with 85 per cent coming from solar, says Ernst. It is well insulated, away from power and gas lines, and it features efficient wood stoves, composting toilets, a sand filter septic system and partial water heat recovery. “We try to re-use trees that we don’t use as firewood for log work. Living in the forest as we do, there are more trees dying around us than we use.”

Enjoy Low-Impact Activities

The lodge owners shun high impact activities such as ATV off-roading and motor boating, preferring that their guests enjoy the wilderness with an ecologically friendly footprint.

“If you are nature oriented, wish to actively engage in low-impact outdoor activities such as hiking, riding, snow-shoeing and mountaineering, and prefer to stay in a pristine area away from the busy tourist centres -- then consider Aurum Lodge,” says Ernst.

“We didn’t want to change the character of the area or bring in activities that did not complement the area,” he adds. “This is a place for visitors where they can enjoy the area the way it is, while getting away from it all.”

Aurum Lodge is a destination resort and minimum stays apply, so the Ernsts help guests with arranging activities before and while they stay here.

Trend is to Slow Down

As travelers age, they tend to want to find a place that they can use as a jump-off to an area while savoring peace and quiet, says Ernst.

“This came a bit out of our own travel experiences,” he says. “We have traveled a lot and lived in different countries and our travel patterns changed as we got older. When you reach about 40, you slow down a bit and want to vacation and relax rather than race around. We decided we’d make the lodge a base for exploring.”

Hiking is Tops

“Hiking is the number one favorite activity, because most of our guests our fit,” says Ernst. “And winter hiking is great in this area because it is fairly dry, so you can hike using hiking boots and do it without snowshoes.”

There are learning adventures as well. Guided tours set up by the local historical society have become popular, because people want to learn about the area where they travel, he adds.

And after a hike, expect a low salt, low fat healthy meal. “We all sit together at the same time, and because we have guests from many countries sitting together, there are amazing discussions and camaraderie,” says Ernst.

Interest in ‘Green’ Growing

People who come to Aurum Lodge appreciate the owner’s environmental philosophy and acknowledge the lodge’s environmental awards, but it’s still a secondary rather than a primary draw, says Ernst. “When they see our environmentally friendly approach, then it becomes a much bigger point for them -- but they don’t always seek out an eco-lodge.”

Other Lodges and Green Initiatives

There are other choices in Alberta to stay if you seek green initiatives. Ernst recommends trying Rocky Mountain Escape in Hinton, “as they are low key, low impact and nature oriented.” The Rocky Mountain Escape provides an eco-link to other Alberta operations and lodgings.

Otherwise, Brown Creek Ranch is a guest ranch in the Porcupine Hills in southwest Alberta that has won a national environmental stewardship award. Backcountry lodges such as Skoki Lodge in Banff National Park bring the weight of history, constructed in 1930. Banff National Park has a solar powered facility at Lake Minnewanka that generates heat, lighting and hot water from the sun.

Dinosaur Provincial Park’s interpretive centre has been awarded a Gold LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification for resource conservation. Alberta Sustainable Resource Development provides information to help you enjoy the province’s wildlife.

Fairmont Hotels in Alberta including the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise, Fairmont Banff Springs, Fairmont Hotel Macdonald in Edmonton and Fairmont Palliser in Calgary have been ‘green’ since 1990 with initiatives including purchasing wind and water power.