Christmas Magic comes to The Lodge

January 15th, 2019 at 6:20pm

With a warm fire crackling inside and out, the smell of fresh pine and homemade cookies, and festive holiday décor at every turn, The Lodge at Whitefish Lake mirrored a scene from a classic holiday movie. Top it off with a fresh layer of Christmas Eve snow and even the folks from Bedford Falls would have been in awe.

Shortly after Thanksgiving, The Lodge staff joyfully began the transformation. Ornate snowflakes, Douglas Firs covered in sparkling lights and ornaments, and holiday music greeted guests.

Dina Wood

Our annual Tea and Photos with Santa offered guests and locals alike three Sundays of white-gloved tea service, gourmet finger sandwiches and sweet treats as well as the opportunity to visit with “Cowboy Santa” and present him with your wish list. Shortly after Santa’s arrival we were greeted with the first ever Lodge appearance of two mischievous elves, Emerson & Jolly. This “Elf on the Shelf” dynamic duo kept both adults and children on the look out and they even had quite the Facebook following.

Dina Wood

New this year, The Lodge Lobby was host to local musicians including piano players, harpists and the North Valley Music School Children’s Choir. Each afternoon, festive voices and music filled the grand lobby from floor to ceiling.

DW

Christmas Week was ushered in with our annual Holiday Welcome Reception. Music, complimentary snacks and beverages welcomed guests of all ages and there was no shortage of treats and magic for the kid in all of us. Warm cookies and hot cocoa were provided each afternoon in the lobby warming tummies and spirits.

DW

Families, couples and individuals alike enjoyed snowshoeing along the Candy Cane Trail through our peaceful Viking Creek Nature Preserve.

After a day of outdoor adventures, our Ice Bar offered folks the perfect spot to unwind. Located on the Great Northern Terrace and surrounded by holiday lights and a toasty fire, this one-of-a-kind Whitefish attraction served up cocktails and refreshments for adults and kids…and even a chance to toast S’mores!

Dina Wood

After warming up at the Ice Bar, guests could enjoy a host of family-friendly events and activities. Classic holiday movies were presented each night in the Viking Lounge, or if guests preferred a more traditional approach, kids and grown-ups could snuggle in by the fireplace in the main lobby to old-fashioned Christmas stories read by the fire.

The main lobby was also home to the “Chateau Gateau” an extraordinary gingerbread house constructed by the Boat Club Pastry Team. Guests took advantage of family craft time to create their own gingerbread houses to display alongside the Chateau.

DW

The magic wasn’t just confined to the lobby! Guests could bring a bit of holiday cheer right into their rooms with pre-decorated, full-sized Christmas trees, mini live trees small enough to take home, and even un-decorated full-sized trees waiting to be adorned.

If that wasn’t enough, kid’s were wowed by a memorable cookies & milk Elf special delivery-just in time for tuck in! And while kids had visions of sugar plums, adults had visions of fresh king crab legs and juicy steaks!

The culinary team in The Boat Club Restaurant prepared an exquisite Holiday menu complete with fresh seafood entrées, delicious steaks and seasonal features. The house was full Christmas Eve and Christmas Day with locals, guests, music and cheer.

DW

The celebrations continued into the New Year as folks gathered to ring in 2019 at our New Year’s Eve Celebration with dinner, live music, balloon drop and fireworks…And to ease into New Year’s Day – Brunch with a Bloody Mary & Mimosa Bar – served late.

Christmas always brings out the child in each of us. We all love and look for a little extra magic, whether it’s in a quiet snowfall, a cheerful carol, or a child’s eyes. The Lodge at Whitefish Lake is honored to have a hand in creating holiday magic for its guests each and every year and we look forward to sharing Christmas 2019 with our guests.

call
map
photos