It’s been an amazing adventure since we started the Canteen in the spring of 2020 but it’s time for a change. It started as an ice cream freezer in a garden shed when the pandemic made it so that we couldn’t offer our tours. Since then it’s grown into a much larger business than we had planned thanks to your support.
We’ve decided to sell so that we can once again put all of our focus on our tour business.
We’re excited to see new owners grow the Canteen to the next level or use the space to create something new in Nordegg. Send us an email at bookings@nordeggadventures.ca if you’re interested and we’ll forward you more details.
Danielle & JP
Above: Nordegg Days event in the yard at the Nordegg Canteen
What’s Included?
Everything you need to take over a profitable small take-out restaurant in Nordegg.
The Canteen is on land leased from Clearwater County on the main street. The main building consists of 2 “atco-style” trailers on skids, connected with a permanent roof and covered deck. There is an older food truck (not currently mobile) that is used as additional kitchen space with a flat top and additional friers, a gazebo/stage, a storage shed and a 10′ by 20′ office building on skids that can be included in the sale.
Some of the equipment includes a 10-tub ice cream freezer, a standup display freezer (lease to own), drip coffee maker and grinder, 2 Square registers, a display beverage fridge, a countertop display fridge, a baked goods display, a 48″ refrigerated prep table, a ventless fryer, fridge, freezers, steam table, double panini press, fry cutter, picnic tables and everything else needed to offer our current menu.
Above: The front area of the Canteen.
Above: The “adventure room”. We use this space for retail sales, tour sales and as a small dining area.
Above: The three season covered deck with additional seating.
Above: The kitchen and back room area.
Operations
Our current operations consist of a simple menu of fries, sandwiches and ice cream. In the past we’ve offered extended hours with live music, food specials, baked goods and more.
This summer we’ve chosen to reduce our hours as we transition our focus back on our tours. We currently operate Thursday to Monday from 12 to 5 pm to focus on the busiest time of the day. This allows us to operate with 2 staff (including us as owners) on weekdays and 3 on the weekends.
This is primarily a summer business although we have opened on the weekends throughout the past 3 winters. There are a lot of options on how to operate depending on your goals.
Asking Price
The price is $74,000, including everything listed above.
The office building is $25,000 on its own, or $20,000 if bought with the Canteen.
Another weekend of moody weather making for great colours along the rivers and great views of the peaks coming through the clouds.
The photos below are from the Coral Creek and Cline River canyons on Sunday June 16, 2024.
We share photos whenever we have a chance to help you get a sense of how things are looking in the Nordegg & Abraham Lake region. You can see more of our photos at photos.nordeggadventures.ca.
Fresh snow on the mountains in late June along the Cline RiverThe Coral Creek Canyon with the mountains poking through the cloudsThe Coral Creek Canyon with the mountains poking through the cloudsA black bear along Coral Creek Canyon on our hikeA favourite spot along the Cline River where it enters one of the many narrow sectionsLooking up the valley of the Cline River on a stormy dayThe narrow canyon of the Cline River
Want to see these views for yourself?
Guided hikes to Coral Creek Canyon are available daily.
It was a month of extremes, with Abraham Lake freezing in a snowstorm followed by over a week below -35C before ending the month at +18C.
January 3, 2024
I always love the day when Cline Landing freezes. The shallow bay makes for some amazing reflections on the clear ice while the ground underneath adds a layer that gives a sense of depth we don’t get on the rest of the lake.
Only a small portion of the bay at Cline River froze overnight with open water in the distance.
The first day of clear ice always creates some magical scenes.
January 4, 2024
Unfortunately, the clear ice was short-lived with an overnight snowfall covering the freshly frozen Abraham Lake. Instead of sunrise reflections on the ice we were treated to a winter wonderland sunrise under the chinook arch.
The fresh snow, chinook arch and fiery sunrise make for some great views on the range across from Cline River.
First light on Abraham Mountain.
Want to see these views for yourself?
Join us on one of our winter tours, available daily.
The challenging winter continues with the rest of Abraham Lake freezing in a snowstorm. This left much of the lake with a layer of white ice but clear patches of bubbles were still there to be found.
The white layer is snow frozen into the top layer of ice, an unusual sight on Abraham Lake.
The storm created a pattern of white ice, bumpy areas and patches of perfectly clear ice.
January 13, 2024
The Abraham Lake winds are working their magic to clear more sections of the ice and expose the ice bubbles. The combination of strong winds and blowing snow acts like sandblasting, removing the top layer of ice as time goes by.
Windy days can be challenging on the lake but the rewards are well worth it.
January 30, 2024
The cold temperatures don’t usually bother me but 10 days between -30C and -50C was a little too much… The warm-up was rapid however, going up to +18C within a couple of days. The warm temperatures meant for water on top of the ice, transforming Abraham Lake into a mirror filled with mountain reflections.
Mountain reflections at Cline Landing.Elliott’s Peak reflection on the water at Abraham Slabs
January 31, 2024
The month wrapped up with temperatures back below 0C. As the pools of water freeze on top of the ice it created some interesting shapes but it’ll unfortunately be a few days before we once again have clear ice.
Looking down the lake towards Elliott’s Peak and Sentinel Mountain.
About The “Month In Photos” Series
For years we’ve captured the beauty of the region throughout the seasons and kept notes on how things looked like while we were out exploring the region. Most of these sat as drafts as we got busy with tours and other projects but we’re finally getting around to sharing over a decade’s worth of photos of our adventures.
What’s always fascinating going back through those photos is how much conditions can change from year to year while other things seem to remain consistent. We hope that you enjoy looking back through the years as much as we do and that it helps you get inspired as you plan your next adventure with us.
Find a different kind of Rockies experience as you enjoy 4 days of playing in the snow and relaxing by the fire.
Winter in Nordegg & Abraham Lake is a spectacular time as the ice bubbles form on Abraham Lake, the waterfalls freeze into amazing formations and the snow-covered mountains provide the awe-inspiring backdrop.
Head out with your local guide for an ice walk under the stars to the Abraham Lake ice bubbles, explore frozen waterfalls and take in the sights from above on a helicopter tour.
AT A GLANCE
4 days of adventures
3 nights cabin stay
Starts in Calgary and ends in Banff
Great for those looking to explore the quieter side of the Rockies and try new activities
Available from late November to early March
This itinerary is provided as inspiration. Contact us if you would like to plan this adventure for your group.
DAY 1
Like most great adventures, this one starts with a road trip! The drive from Calgary to Nordegg along the Cowboy Trail and David Thompson Highway offers one of the most scenic approaches to the Canadian Rockies. Plan to stop in Sundre or Rocky Mountain House for a snack along the way and, since we only have limited groceries available in Nordegg, we recommend a quick grocery stop in either town.
Once in Nordegg, check in at your cabin and enjoy an evening of board games or a good book by the fire.
DAY 2
Start the day with one of Nordegg Canteen’s famous breakfast sandwiches as you check in for your adventure. Choose from a full-day Frozen Waterfalls + Ice Bubbles guided tour with Nordegg Adventures or head out ice climbing with Girth Hitch Guiding.
The Frozen Waterfalls + Ice Bubbles tour includes a short winter hike along ice-covered canyons to start the day, a picnic lunch and an afternoon ice walk on Abraham Lake.
Looking to try something a little different? Get up close to a frozen waterfall as you learn to ice climb. The tour includes all the climbing gear and instruction from an ACMG-certified guide.
Afterward, it’s time to head back to the cabin for dinner and an evening by the fire.
DAY 3
Time to relax and enjoy a quiet morning at the cabin. Grab a pair of cross-country skis or snowshoes and head out on the nearby trails in Nordegg for a couple of hours of fun in the snow.
After some time on the trail, check out the work of local artists at Beehive Artisans Market.
End the day by experiencing the magic of the Abraham Lake ice bubbles under the stars with Nordegg Adventures.
DAY 4
It’s time to hit the road for a drive along the Icefields Parkway as you make your way to Lake Louise or Banff for your next adventure.
Along the way, head up with Rockies Heli Canada for a sightseeing helicopter tour, a snowshoe stop in the alpine and one last look at Abraham Lake, until your next visit.
From there, make sure to stop at Whirlpool Point, Howse Pass Viewpoint, Peyto Lake and Bow Lake to take in those famous mountain views.
THE LOGISTICS
Like most amazing places, we’re a little more remote than your average destination. Here are a few things you should know as you plan your trip:
There is no public transportation within the region. You’ll want to either have a car with winter tires or book a guided tour with transportation.
We recommend leaving Calgary by noon on day 1 and planning to take 4 hours to get here with a few stops along the way.
We’re only 2 hours away from Lake Louise but we recommend planning on 4 hours (in addition to the heli-tour) for the drive on day 4 since you’ll be wanting to stop along the way for the views.
Groceries are limited in the townsite. Plan ahead and pick some up on your way here.
We love how versatile this delicious salad is. The dried fruits and quinoa, combined with the bright flavours of the dressing make it a great option as a meal, perfect to bring on an adventure and great as a side for dinner.
INGREDIENTS
SALAD
85 grams of mixed lettuce
4-5 small heirloom tomatoes
A handful of chopped cucumbers
A handful of sliced dried figs
One dried apricot, sliced
A handful of dried cranberries
1 tablespoon of quinoa, cooked and cooled
A sprinkle of sliced almonds
FRONTIER DRESSING
½ cup of olive oil
⅓ cup of cold-pressed canola oil
¼ cup of white wine vinegar
2 tablespoons of honey
1 tablespoon of lemon juice
2 cloves of garlic
1 teaspoon of salt
½ teaspoon of pepper flakes
½ teaspoon of dried oregano
½ teaspoon of dried parsley
½ teaspoon of dried thyme leaves
½ teaspoon of basil
¼ teaspoon of ground black pepper
Optional: add 3 tablespoons of grated parmesan cheese
DIRECTIONS
Toss all the salad ingredients together.
Mix the dressing. This will keep in the fridge for about a week.
This dip quickly became a favourite at the Canteen, delicious with fries and perfect with a smokies on a bun. It’s easy to make at home, keeps well in the fridge and will quickly become your go-to condiment.
INGREDIENTS
1⅓ cup of ketchup
2 tablespoons of curry powder
1 tablespoon of paprika
1 tablespoon of chilli powder
1 tablespoon of Worcestershire sauce
1 tablespoon of honey
1 tablespoon of water
Makes 8 servings of 2 ounces each.
DIRECTIONS
Combine all the ingredients and mix well, making sure that there are no clumps of spices.
We’ve found that using different brands of ketchup, curry powder and chilli powder has a big impact on the final flavour. Try a few to find the one you like best.
How to choose the best camping spot for your next adventure in the Nordegg & Abraham Lake region, from serviced campsites to crown-land camping.
Above: Morning views on the Kootenay Plains at the Cavalcade Group Campground
We’re fortunate to have a lot of options for camping in the region but that also makes it a little harder to pick, especially if you only have a few days to explore the area.
The first thing to consider is where you’ll be spending most of your time on tours, hiking and playing. The Thompson Creek, Kootenay Plains and Cline River areas are great if you’ll be heading out to the Columbia Icefields, exploring the shores of Abraham Lake or hiking popular trails like Siffleur Falls or Vision Quest.
On the other hand, camping in the Nordegg to the Bighorn Dam area is a great option if you are looking to include riding your OHV on the local trails, hiking trails like Coliseum Mountain or just to be closer to the services available in Nordegg.
The other consideration is what type of camping best suits your style: campgrounds, rustic camping areas or random camping.
Most of the campgrounds in the region are classic mountain campsites with somewhat smaller sites set a little further apart in some gorgeous settings. Most have options to accommodate a wide range of accommodations, from RVs to tents, but keep in mind that you’re not likely to find pull-through sites at most of these campgrounds. Typical amenities are gravel pads, picnic tables, fire pits and pit toilets. Firewood is available for purchase at most of these campgrounds.
The online campgrounds with serviced sites in the region are David Thompson Resort (power, water and sewer) and Fish Lake (power only). There is an RV sani-dump in Nordegg, behind the Nordegg Lodge, along with public showers at the Shell.
Most of these are first come first served with self-registration (cash only) while reservations are required at Fish Lake and available at Ram Falls, Upper Shunda Creek and David Thompson Resort.
So how do you choose which campground to stay at? David Thompson Resort is the only camping resort in the region including a restaurant, playground and mini golf on site. Fish Lake and Goldeye Lake are the quintessential foothills campground, located on the shores of stocked lakes that are popular for paddling and fishing. Two O’Clock Creek and Thompson Creek at the west end of the region offer the classic Canadian Rockies camping experience surrounded by mountain peaks.
Other campgrounds, like Harlech, Saunders, Beaverdam and Dry Haven, offer a more basic experience and are best suited if you’re looking for a simple place to spend the night.
Above: Tenting in the trees at Upper Shunda Campground
Above: The firewood shed at Two O’Clock Creek Campground
Above: Group site at the Cavalcade Campground
Group Campgrounds
These are the best options when you’re travelling with friends and want to make sure that you get sites close together. Most of these campgrounds have picnic shelters for your group to use along with larger firepits to gather around.
Some of these, like Cavalcade, were designed as group sites while most of the other ones are smaller campgrounds that Alberta Parks converted to group campgrounds only a few years ago.
All group campgrounds are managed by Alberta Parks and reservations are required. The minimum number of units is typically 5 for those sites.
Rustic Camping Areas
These are new additions to the region with work being done over the last few years to add roads, toilets and in some cases garbage bins to areas that were popular random camping spots. These changes were done to address some of the overuse issues that were happening in those places.
While rustic camping areas only offer basic amenities without picnic tables, firepits or designated sites they are located in some of the most scenic spots in the region including at Allstones Cove, Abraham Slabs, Preacher’s Point and Wildhorse Creek along the North Saskatchewan River.
Camping at these locations requires a Public Lands Camping Pass and all sites are available on a first come first served basis. The pass is $20 per adult for 3 days or $30 per adult for a full year (maximum of 14 consecutive days in a location). Keep in mind the pass must be purchased online or at a location that sells fishing licenses (the FasGas in Nordegg is the only one in the region). Since many of these sites are outside of cell services it’s better to purchase your pass ahead of time.
Above: Camping along the North Saskatchewan River at Wildhorse Creek
Above: Camping in a rustic camping area
Above: Camping along the shores of Abraham Lake at Allstones Cove
Random Camping
Random camping, aka dispersed camping, crown land camping or boondocking, is allowed throughout the region with a few exceptions. These include limiting your stay to 14 days, being at least 1 km from a provincial recreation area or provincial park and having a Public Lands Camping Pass. You can find out more details and check for current advisories on the Bighorn Backcountry page from the provincial government.
Most of the random camping spots along highway 11 between Nordegg and the Icefields Parkway are now rustic camping areas although a few popular spots remain undeveloped.
Backcountry Camping
Most backcountry campsites in the region have little to no development, except for pit toilets and bear-bins at some locations like Landslide Lake, Pinto Lake and Lake of the Falls. Random backcountry camping is generally permitted, except in the Kootenay Plains Ecological Reserve.
A Public Lands Camping Pass is required but all sites are available on a first come first served basis.
See Abraham Lake and the surrounding area from a different perspective on a sightseeing helicopter tour.
Take flight from the Rockies Heli Canada base located between Nordegg and Saskatchewan River Crossing on the shores of Abraham Lake. Your sightseeing adventure takes you into the Cline River valley, toward the majestic Minster Mountain, glaciers and stunning lakes.
One of our favourites is the Heli Wilderness Adventure. The adventure starts with your choice of the 20, 30 or 55-minute sightseeing flight and then adds a one-hour stop in a remote wilderness area for a walk. On our tour we got to spend time at Lake of the Falls, taking in the views of the surrounding peaks and turquoise waters.
The Flight
The first portion of the adventure took us along the Cline River Valley, seeing from above the Cline River Canyon and the Coral Creek Canyon where we hike often. The flight then took us toward Resolute Mountain and its snow-covered peak and the straight walls of Purple Mountain before we made our approach to Lake of the Falls, our destination for the walk.
Above: The views on the flight up the Cline River valley
Lake of the Falls
Our last visit to Lake of the Falls was on a backpacking trip during an August snow storm… This time around we were treated to blue skies, wildflowers and gorgeous views. The wilderness stop is the perfect way to slow things down and take the time to enjoy this special place.
If you’re looking at camping or spending the day fishing at Lake of the Falls, they offer the option of flights to this lake and many others in the area. These Heli Backcountry Adventures are unguided but a great option for those with experience in the outdoors.
Above: The hike at Lake of the Falls
The Return Flight
The last part of the adventure is the flight back to the Cline River heliport, taking in one last look at Lake of the Falls, the Cline River Valley and Abraham Lake.
We’ve said more than once that the key to spending more time playing in the snow is to have a few quick and delicious meals that can be put together without too much effort.
This simple recipe fits that category. It’s nearly as easy as making store-bought meatballs and tastes so much better after a day spent outside.
INGREDIENTS
MEATBALLS
1 kg of lean ground beef
1 teaspoon of Chinese Five Spices (optional)
VEGGIES
1 tbsp of oil
1 small onion diced coarsely
1 cup of mushrooms sliced
1 cup of green peppers chopped coarsely
3 cloves of garlic chopped
SAUCE
¼ cup of brown sugar
⅓ cup of honey
½ cup of ketchup
¾ cup of water
DIRECTIONS
This recipe works great on the stovetop for those last-minute dinners or in the slow cooker when you’re planning ahead, knowing that you’ll be coming back home hungry from your adventure.
STOVE TOP OPTION
In a bowl mix the ground beef and Chinese five-spice and form balls. Cook in a frying pan over medium heat until they are cooked, about 10 minutes (this is completely dependent on the size of meatballs you chose to make).
Drain the fat and add the meatballs to the sauce and veggies.
While the meat is cooking, cook the veggies in a thick-bottomed pot over medium heat until the onions and mushrooms soften up. Add the ingredients for the sauce and mix well. Bring to a boil and then reduce to a simmer, adding the cooked meatballs. Let simmer for about 10-15 minutes, until the sauce has reached the desired thickness.
SLOW COOKER OPTION
In a bowl mix the ground beef and Chinese five-spice and form balls. Sear in a frying pan, drain the fat and add the meatballs to the slow cooker.
In your slow cooker, add the veggies and ingredients for the sauce and mix well. Add the cooked meatballs and set to cook for 4 hours.
Sometimes it’s easier to set it up before heading out in the morning rather than at lunchtime. This recipe works well for this, just add an extra ½ cup of water and set to cook for 8 hours.
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