With everything going on, it’s perfectly understandable that you’d want a getaway. Even under more normal circumstances, we could all benefit from a bit of an escape. That’s what we had in mind when we decided on a second #5DadsGoWild trip this year… but this time would be different. This time, we’d indulge in the premium cabins at Manning Park Resort. Unsurprisingly, they’re quite the upgrade from camping in tents!
Now, I should preface this by saying that we should all follow the guidance of public health officials. Travel restrictions and recommendations against nonessential travel will be in a constant state of flux for the foreseeable future. The good news for those of us in Metro Vancouver is that Manning Park Resort is only about a three-hour drive away. The premium cabins allow you to maintain a private space for your bubble. And the expanse of the great outdoors means you can easily maintain physical distance.
I should also disclose that Manning Park Resort provided us with complimentary accommodations. We retained all creative control over our content; they simply encouraged us to share our experiences authentically with our audiences. So, that’s what I’m doing here.
As you might recall, the last time we went camping in Manning Park, my tent collapsed under the snow. Earlier this summer, we were swarmed by mosquitoes. I’m happy to report that neither of these were a concern for the “winter edition” of 5DadsGoWild 2020. The premium cabins at Manning Park are both rustic and modern. They’re really roomy, with square footage and amenities comparable to a nice townhouse.
I especially liked the loft upstairs. In addition to two single beds, there’s also a pull-out sofabed and a dining table. This also means you get double height ceilings in the main living room area, in front of the fireplace, complete with a couple of ceiling fans. The interior is really “woody,” which is great for maximizing those hygge vibes.
The outdoor patio, complete with a few Adirondack chairs, is great for a morning coffee (provided you bundle up for the winter weather).
There’s also the master bedroom with a queen size bed and an ensuite, plus another bedroom with a bunk bed. Like I said, lots of space.
And yes, there’s a complete kitchen in there, fully equipped with pots and pans, dishware and cutlery, coffee maker, refrigerator, and a gas stove and oven. Just remember to bring your own cooking oil, seasoning, and so on.
And while you can take advantage of this “escape from the city” as an opportunity to unplug, you still have cell coverage and WiFi in and around Manning Park Resort.
You lose coverage as you head into the park, of course… but you’ll definitely want to do that. We revisited our old campsite, now completely covered in snow, plus the warming hut at Strawberry Flats, the beautiful scenery of Lightning Lake (no boat rentals right now, obviously), and a few of the other trails around the park.
I’d like to extend another thank you to Manning Park Resort for their generosity and hospitality. It was a different kind of trip, to be sure, and I wish the skies had cleared up for some stargazing, but we had a wonderful time all the same. We’ll be back again, I’m sure.
Part of the rationale for limiting the cell and wifi coverage in the park is to help us “disconnect” and enjoy nature. I love this idea!
The opportunity to disconnect, while still staying connected should we so choose. It’s perfect.
I’m super jealous that you guys have this in BC. The opportunity to connect is so important and especially during these times
To connect, even if socially distant. We can thank James Smith (SocialDad) for coming up with this idea and organizing it all.
Seriously you guys always make me jealous with your adventures.
You should totally book some time at Manning when it’s safe to do so!
This place seriously looks fabulous. I think it’d be a great family getaway location!
I really think so too. We saw a few families with children of various ages. Nature’s playground! And with super cozy cabins to get out of the cold.
What a beautiful looking trip with those cozy cabins and fresh snow makes it even more pretty!
Thanks for sharing the deets! I love Manning but have never stayed at the resort. This looks beautiful. Now I’m in the mood for apres ski ??
I really feel at home out there. I could happily go back at a moment’s notice and stay for a while.
British Columbia bucket list updated! I don’t know if it is amplified by 2020 but this place looks idyllic. What’s the snowboarding like?
We didn’t get a chance to check out the alpine area as it wasn’t open for the season yet. That being said, I’m also not a snowboarder, so I wouldn’t be able to tell you. Haha.
Oh wow… we definitely have to add this to our list of places to go! The accommodations look amazing!
I wish I had known about these cabins in the Summer! They look just so perfect!
I’m jealous. One, I love Canada. 2, under the UK’s restrictions, we couldn’t meet like this! I did laugh at the thought of your tent collapsing!
We met in a responsible, socially distanced kind of way, but our local government introduced more stringent travel restrictions literally as we were heading home from this trip. We couldn’t really do this trip now if we wanted to.